New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman said President Donald Trump's inner circle believes he can get away with "basically anything."
The assertion suggests a culture of perceived impunity within the administration. This mindset may drive the pursuit of high-risk, high-cost projects that bypass traditional federal oversight and security protocols.
Haberman said there is a specific effort to convert a jet gifted by Qatar into a new de-facto Air Force One. The process is described as a rushed operation that is inflating costs and raising significant security concerns [1]. The value of the gifted Qatari jet is referenced at $400 million [2].
According to Haberman, the administration's inner circle assumes the president is untouchable. This belief facilitates the push for unconventional assets and operations that would typically face stricter scrutiny from military and intelligence officials [1].
Haberman said that the scale and speed of these changes are unusual. "It’s a little hard to believe," Haberman said [2].
The conversion of the aircraft involves integrating it into the presidential fleet, a task that usually requires years of testing and certification. By rushing the process, the administration risks compromising the safety and secure communications required for the U.S. president during international travel [1].
“Trump’s circle thinks he can get away with ‘basically anything'”
The reported belief that the president is beyond consequence suggests a shift in how the executive branch interacts with established federal guardrails. By attempting to fast-track the conversion of a foreign gift into a primary secure transport, the administration is prioritizing speed and personal preference over standard Department of Defense and Secret Service security protocols.
