Reed: Trump's Qatar Plane Would 'pose Immense Counterintelligence Risks'

President Trump’s acceptance of a Qatar-donated Boeing 747 as a new Air Force One aircraft would pose “immense counterintelligence risks” to the United States if used, according to the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Trump on Sunday confirmed that his administration is planning to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari government, worth roughly $400 million and meant to replace Air Force One for much of the rest of his term. 

While reports have emerged that the Defense Department would take possession of the 13-year-old aircraft and configure it for presidential use — including by altering its electronic and communications equipment — Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) on Monday raised serious questions as to the safety of that plan. 

Using the plane as Air Force One “would pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications,” Reed, the ranking member of his chamber’s defense panel, said in a statement.

“This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain,” Reed said, adding that “it is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.”

Washington has been up in arms over news that Trump intends to take possession of Qatar’s Boeing aircraft, with the president arguing that the move is sound, considering that Boeing has been delayed in delivering a new Air Force One to the administration.

“It’s a great gesture from Qatar,” Trump told reporters Monday. “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’”

But even some in the GOP are hesitant to back the decision over ethical and national security concerns, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledging the Boeing delay but not giving his full support.

“I understand his frustration. They’re way behind schedule on delivering the next Air Force One,” Thune told The Hill on Monday. “Whether or not this is the right solution … I don’t know.”

And one of Trump’s closest allies, Laura Loomer, called out the move as a “stain” on the presidency and said she was disappointed that the president would accept this gift.

Boeing has had a contract with the U.S. government to replace the pair of aging Air Force Ones — two military versions of the Boeing 747 — since 2018 in Trump’s first term. But the delivery has been delayed until at least 2027.  

However, Trump’s argument that the new Qatari aircraft would save taxpayer dollars is far from sound. The gifted aircraft would need to be retrofitted from the inside out with new power systems, electrical wiring and other technology for secure communications and self-defense — such as in the case of an electromagnetic attack.

That process could take years to complete and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, according to aviation experts. What’s more, the aircraft would need to be extensively swept for any foreign software modifications or embedded technology.