Trump Should Not Have Accepted Plane

Editor, News-Register:

Recent news reports described the security problems of the Air Force One airplane given to Trump by the Emir of Qatar. Trump responded with accusations, “who leaked the story about its security inadequacies?” Reporters focused on us taxpayers having to pay $400 million to upgrade the plane’s security, in addition to the $400 million we’ve already paid.

But no one is focusing on what happens to the airplane after Trump leaves office. It should not become his personal possession. That would be a prohibited bribe which the constitution calls an “emolument.”

In addition, if the plane were taken out of service, it will need to be decommissioned. We taxpayers would cough up another $800 million to take all the security stuff out of the airplane.

Trump’s corrupt acceptance of this illegal bribe should merit impeachment, removal from office, and judicial consequence. He certainly shouldn’t be allowed to keep this “gift.”