Pentagon says it has accepted Qatar's gift of a luxury megajet for Trump's use

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department said it has officially accepted a luxury jet plane from Qatar to use as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department said it has officially accepted a luxury jet plane from Qatar to use as the new Air Force One for President Donald Trump. Now the administration's task is to get it ready for him as quickly as possible, despite real security and logistical issues that will need to be overcome, as well as bipartisan concern about the gift.

“The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations," Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said Tuesday. "The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.”

Parnell referred additional requests for information to the Air Force. There was no immediate comment from the Qatari government.

Despite the Pentagon’s public acceptance of the gift, the deal is not yet finalized and the legal issues have not yet been resolved, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

The prospect of the plane, which is set to go to Trump's presidential library after he leaves office, has drawn security and ethical concerns from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, close Trump allies and ethics groups.