Scoop: House Democrat seeks probe into reports Qatar plans to gift plane to Trump

A House Democrat is seeking an investigation into reports that the Trump administration plans to accept a jet worth roughly $400 million from Qatar to serve as Air Force One — and President Trump's personal plane after he leaves office. Why it matters: The swift backlash signals that congressional Democrats may latch onto the issue when they return to session next week.The Democratic National Committee blasted out a press release Sunday afternoon branding the development as Trump's "latest grift."Driving the news: Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the acting Department of Defense inspector general and the Office of Government Ethics requesting a probe into the matter."With an estimated value of $400 million, the aerial palace would constitute the most valuable gift ever conferred on a President by a foreign government," he wrote in a letter first obtained by Axios.Torres asked for an "immediate" ethics review of the reported gift and an advisory opinion on whether it violates federal ethics rules or the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.He also asked for a recommendation on "policy reforms to prevent the conversion of foreign gifts into private property by current or former presidents."Zoom out: ABC News reported Sunday that the Trump administration plans to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family.The plane, which Trump toured when it was parked in West Palm Beach earlier this year, has been referred to as a "flying palace."Torres, in his letter, repeatedly dubbed it a "flying grift."ABC News also reported that the Justice Department has drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that it would be legal to accept the gift and later transfer it to Trump's presidential library.Yes, but: Qatar's media attaché to the U.S., Ali Al-Ansari, pushed back on the ABC scoop and a matching story from The New York Times, saying reports "that a jet is being gifted by Qatar to the United States government during the upcoming visit of President Trump are inaccurate."The statement adds: "The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made."Between the lines: Torres may have a difficult time securing a probe from the Pentagon inspector general's office or the Office of Government Ethics, both of which are run by Trump appointees.The GAO, on the other hand, is more responsive to congressional requests and may grant a review.The three agencies, as well as the White House, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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