Trump says Qatari-gifted Air Force One will be ‘maxed out,’ appearing to confirm security issues - WTOP

What the report says

WTOP, carrying CNN reporting, says President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that a Qatari-donated aircraft being used as Air Force One will soon undergo additional upgrades, amid renewed questions about whether it has the same security protections as the older presidential jet. Speaking to reporters after returning to Joint Base Andrews from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said the plane had “a lot of capability” but would be sent in about a month to be “maxed out.”

The issue has drawn attention since Trump abruptly switched aircraft while returning from a NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month. He said then that the donated jet was being sent to Mildenhall Air Base in England so U.S. service members could tour it, but CNN reported that two sources familiar with the matter said the newer plane lacked some capabilities considered important for international travel. A third source said it had many features comparable to the older aircraft.

According to the report, security personnel were more comfortable with the president traveling on the older plane, which was purpose-built for presidential use, rather than the recently retrofitted aircraft donated by Qatar. The aircraft is described as a $400 million jet, and its use has raised legal, ethical and national security questions.

CNN also reported that the administration has pursued an internal inquiry into disclosures about the plane’s security issues, with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel involved. The New York Times, which first reported the concerns, said four of its reporters were subpoenaed by the government.