John,

Donald Trump has accepted a private jet from the Qatari government, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner worth over $400 million. It’s the definition of a foreign bribe. And if Congress lets him get away with it, they’re declaring open season on our democracy.

The Emoluments Clause in the Constitution couldn’t be clearer that no president, former or sitting, can accept gifts, payments, or benefits from foreign states. Trump did it anyway. Openly and without shame. Qatar paid him off, and we’re supposed to pretend it’s normal?

The good news is that Republicans aren’t buying it. Rand Paul called it “troubling.” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said we “need to look at the constitutionality” adding “I’d be checking for bugs.” Yeah, no joke.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy said Trump “ought to follow the law.” And stating the obvious, Sen. Josh Hawley suggested it “would be better if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet made in the United States of America.”

Now, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy is calling for a full investigation. This is a chance for Republicans to back up their rhetoric with actual action. Will they do it? Well, one thing is for sure: they won’t do it if we don’t pressure them. If they think they can get away with ignoring it, they will.

That means building grassroots pressure so fierce that Congress can’t ignore it. It means making corruption a political liability, not a protected perk of power. Demand that Congress investigate Trump’s Qatari jet bribe by sending your message now.

Congress must launch a full, public investigation. We deserve to know what was promised, what was paid, and what national interests were sold out in the process. Silence is complicity. Inaction is cowardice. And failure to act is a betrayal of every democratic principle.

Accepting bribes from foreign governments cannot be tolerated. This is a road to absolute impunity, and democracy won’t survive it.

If Congress doesn’t investigate, they’re not just failing their duty, they’re advertising that the presidency is up for grabs to the highest bidder.

This is the moment where lawmakers either draw the line or shred the last pretense that corruption has consequences. Tell Congress to investigate Trump’s Qatari jet bribe immediately.

Let’s make Congress feel the pressure.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund