The Justice Department is refusing to release a legal memorandum written by Attorney General Pam Bondi that justifies accepting a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar, according to a lawsuit filed Monday. The memo reportedly declares the acceptance of the Boeing 747-8 as “legally permissible.” The Trump administration announced in May that it accepted the plane from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, with plans to later transfer it to Donald Trump’s presidential library. The deal remains unofficial, with Qatar offering the plane as an unconditional donation to the Department of Defense.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation requested Bondi’s memo under the Freedom of Information Act on May 15 but was told it wouldn’t be available until January 2027 due to the Justice Department’s lengthy processing time. Critics, including foundation officials, say this delay is unreasonable given the memo’s time-sensitive nature. They argue the situation highlights weaknesses in government transparency and raises concerns about potential corruption. Legal and ethics experts, as well as several members of Congress, have questioned the deal’s legality under the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause. Further scrutiny arises from Bondi’s previous work as a lobbyist for Qatar, which some argue presents a conflict of interest. The lawsuit demands the memo’s release to clarify the legal and ethical reasoning behind the controversial jet deal, amid broader concerns over Justice Department ethics and transparency.