The Justice Department’s internal legal advisers have approved a memo signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, supporting the legality of President Donald Trump receiving a luxury jet from Qatar. The Office of Legal Counsel greenlit the memo before Bondi sent it to the White House, and she consulted with career ethics officials to ensure no conflict requiring recusal existed. This revelation follows scrutiny from the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, who raised concerns about the memo’s content permitting Qatar to gift the plane to the Department of Defense and then transfer it to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

Senator Dick Durbin penned a letter to the attorney general questioning her involvement in the matter and highlighting the need for transparency and ethical considerations. Durbin’s inquiry adds to the growing demand for accountability from Democratic lawmakers regarding the multimillion-dollar gift. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has placed a hold on all Justice Department political nominees until clarity is provided on the jet issue. In a bipartisan response, some Republican senators have also expressed reservations about the gift, emphasizing the importance of ensuring its compliance with legal standards. As the controversy surrounding Trump’s acceptance of the luxury jet continues to unfold, stakeholders across the political spectrum are calling for thorough scrutiny and adherence to ethical guidelines.