Democratic Senator Threatens to Freeze Trump Nominees Until ‘We Get Some Answers’ About $400 Million Qatari Plane
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) told CNN that President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees could face “holds” until the attorney general provides “answers” about a $400 million plane from Qatar that Trump says he plans to accept.
Shaheen joined CNN anchor Kate Bolduan on Tuesday just as Trump was visiting Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of a multi-day trip where he is seeking Middle Eastern investment deals. Trump also plans on accepting a $400 million plane as a gift from Qatar, which could be outfitted to serve as Air Force One.
“I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer,” Trump told reporters before jetting off to the region.
The gifted plane has sparked bipartisan backlash as critics argue such a gift presents both potential security threats and corruption concerns.
Shaheen argued on Tuesday that there could be “bugs” aboard to listen to the president, and that the cost of upgrading the plane, a Boeing 747-8, to serve as Air Force One would be too costly for taxpayers.
“Right now we’re looking at options. One of the things I think we’re going to hear is that there will be holds placed on any judicial nominees from moving forward until we get some answers from the attorney general,” the senator, a ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, said.
Shaheen added that Democrats are looking at “other legislation” in response to Trump, but she did not specify what that legislation could be or whether Democrats could get it passed.
“I think we’re looking at if there is other legislation. I would hope that we would see more of our Republican colleagues stepping up,” she said, applauding Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) for being one of the more vocal critics of the plane deal.
Paul pointed out on Fox News this week that Trump is prohibited by the Constitution from accepting gifts from foreign leaders.
“There is a provision in the Constitution that says you can’t do this. And so, the question is, can you do it only if it’s only for official purposes,” Paul argued, adding, “it’s not worth the appearance of impropriety, whether it’s improper or not.”
“I think everybody should be worried about what the implications of this are,” Shaheen told CNN.
Watch above via CNN.