Overview
- The New York Times reported that the jumbo jet donated by Qatar and modified for presidential use does not have the infrared-guided missile countermeasures carried by the outgoing Air Force One, raising specific safety questions about its defensive systems.
- President Trump used the Qatar-donated plane for the outbound leg to the NATO summit in Ankara but switched at least part of the return trip to the older, fully equipped presidential aircraft, a change officials link to regional security concerns.
- On July 10 the administration issued subpoenas ordering multiple New York Times reporters to appear before a federal grand jury in New York over the reporting, citing possible federal-law violations without publicly detailing the alleged offenses.
- The White House directed FBI Director Patel to lead the inquiry, and he reportedly canceled travel to spend many hours at the White House on the effort, a step that has prompted debate about the independence of law enforcement and pressure on the press.
- Experts and officials say retrofitting a foreign-built jumbo jet to match Air Force One defensive and secure-communications standards is complex and time-consuming, and the episode could affect future decisions about presidential travel, procurement oversight, and relations with the press.