Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a hold Tuesday on Department of Justice nominations until he receives “more answers” on President Donald Trump’s deal with Qatar for a $400 million jet.
The luxury jet, nicknamed the ‘palace in the sky,’ is a planned gift from Qatar’s royal family to function as a placeholder for Air Force One through the end of the Trump administration, Trump announced Monday.
Trump’s lawyers sought to work around the Constitution’s clause that no person holding an office can receive a gift from foreign royalty without the consent of Congress by classifying the plane as a gift — not to Trump, but to the Department of Defense. Trump plans to use the plane until Boeing finishes its contract for a new Air Force One in 2029, and then it will be gifted to Trump’s presidential library. (RELATED: ‘You Should Be Embarrassed’: Trump Snaps At ABC News Reporter Confronting Him On Accepting Gift From Qatar)
Schumer didn’t seem to be satisfied with this workaround. At the weekly press briefing held by Senate Democratic leaders, he said it is “not just speculation” and that it is “backed by overwhelming evidence” that Trump “is jeopardizing America’s national security to line his own pockets.”
“Donald Trump isn’t just blurring the lines between public service and personal profit; he’s erasing them,” Schumer said.
Although Schumer was not specific about what would satisfy his demands, he said, “Until we learn the truth about this deal, I will do my part to block the growing and truly breathtaking politicization of the DOJ.”
Schumer then went to X to question the integrity of Attorney General Pam Bondi by saying she was a “highly paid lobbyist for Qatar,” “dismantled DOJ’s enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act,” and “signed off on the Qatar deal.”
Let me get this straight.
Pam Bondi was a highly paid lobbyist for Qatar.
As AG, she’s dismantled DOJ’s enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
And then signed off on the Qatar deal.
Unreal.
I’m announcing a hold on DOJ’s political nominees until we get answers.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 13, 2025
Bondi has not responded to these comments, but in Trump’s original post he said the “Crooked Democrats” would rather pay “TOP DOLLAR for the plane.”
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