Chicago – May 13, 2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Tuesday that he is blocking all political nominees for the Department of Justice (DOJ) until he gets answers about a private jet gift from Qatar’s royal family to President Trump. Schumer is calling the gift a serious national security risk and an example of corruption.
Schumer’s comments come after reports surfaced that Qatar’s royal family plans to give President Trump a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet. The jet would be used as a temporary Air Force One because Boeing has not delivered a new fleet of planes in time. Trump defended the plan, saying the jet would be used until the end of his presidency, after which it would be given to his presidential library.
Schumer, however, expressed concern that the gift is not only unethical but also dangerous to national security. He also called for the Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit to investigate any actions by people working on behalf of Qatar in the U.S. that could benefit President Trump or his business, the Trump Organization.
Schumer’s hold on DOJ nominees will remain in place until he receives more information about the jet deal and its potential impact.
