Trump said accepting a luxury 747 from Qatar is a no-brainer. But critics say the plan threatens to turn a symbol of American power into a collection of legal and counterintelligence concerns.

Treating the aircraft as safe for the commander in chief with just a few modifications is "absurd," one former senior defense official said.

President Donald Trump defended Qatar gifting the U.S. a jet to use as Air Force One as the new fleet is still under construction.