Trump accelerates retrofit of Qatar-donated Air Force One amid security concerns
On 27 July, the New York Times reported that the accelerated retrofit of the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 intended for Air Force One was missing key safety features and that a Justice Department attempt to subpoena reporters covering the project had failed, according to the newspaper. President Donald Trump announced on 19 July that the Qatar-gifted aircraft would be sent for upgrades within about a month after earlier questions about its security capabilities. U.
S. officials later warned of a credible Iranian-linked missile threat, prompting the Secret Service to have Trump depart Turkey on the older Air Force One. The White House and Pentagon then pushed to compress the retrofit schedule, a move that has drawn criticism for cost overruns and potential safety compromises.
