A watchdog group has formally requested a federal investigation into the U.S. Department of Defense's acceptance of a Qatari luxury jet on behalf of former President Donald Trump. The Democracy Defenders Fund, led by former Obama administration ethics official Norm Eisen, has sent a memo to the Department of Defense's inspector general and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking for a probe into whether the Pentagon violated laws or engaged in impropriety by accepting the gift from the Qatari royal family.

The memo outlines concerns that the Pentagon improperly used its authorities to accept the jet, which is valued at $400 million, and allegedly diverted $934 million in funding from a nuclear missile program to retrofit the aircraft. The group argues that this action represents a misuse of public funds and an abuse of power, as taxpayers are effectively funding a fifth Air Force One, which originated from a foreign monarchy.

Virginia Canter, chief counsel for ethics and anti-corruption at Democracy Defenders Fund, described the situation as a