Prof. Richard Painter Authors Commentary in U.S. News About Trump’s Ethical Issues in Accepting Plane

Professor Richard Painter, S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law, authored a commentary in U.S. News about the Donald Trump possibly accepting a plane from Qatar to serve as Air Force One. He said gifts to public officials are an ethics nightmare, especially if gifted by a foreign government. Prof. Painter wrote, “When I served as White House ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, it was part of my job to make sure we avoided ethical landmines from presents or favors offered by foreign governments who might wish to influence our government. I can tell you that we never would have approved the deal reportedly underway for the Trump administration to accept a free luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar’s royal family to be used by President Donald Trump as Air Force One, and then to be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office. Trump reportedly toured the plane, which is so fancy it is referred to as “a flying palace,” when it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February. A person holding a position of trust with the U.S. government cannot accept either one — or, for that matter, any gift — from a foreign power without the consent of Congress. In the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, Congress consented to some gifts, including gifts valued up to $480, and certain ceremonial gifts, but that certainly does not include a 747 airplane. Congress would have to pass a bill to authorize anything above those limits. Those are the rules our founders created, followed and intended for all of our presidents, diplomats and other public officials. Congress and the American public must insist on the same standards for President Trump.”