Lawmakers urge Trump admin to block Turkey from acquiring advanced US fighter jets

The Trump administration expelled Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 and imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

By Corey Walker, The Algemeiner

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to halt any plans to advance negotiations with Turkey, a NATO ally, over acquiring advanced US fighter jets, warning that doing so without congressional approval would violate federal law and undermine national security.

The message came as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss a range of issues, including the potential sale of F-35s to Ankara.

In a letter sent on Thursday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, 20 members of the US Congress raised alarm bells over reports that the administration is exploring “a major F-16 deal” with Ankara and seeking to “conclude positively” ongoing talks about the F-35 program.

In August, a bipartisan group of 40 lawmakers requested that Rubio prevent Turkey from joining the F-35 program.

“Proceeding with such a sale without fulfilling the statutory certification requirements would violate US law, jeopardize national security, and strain relations with key allies,” the lawmakers wrote in Thursday’s letter.

At the center of the dispute is Turkey’s purchase and continued possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, which US officials argue poses a direct threat to the stealth capabilities of both the F-16 and F-35.

The Trump administration expelled Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 and imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Congress later codified restrictions through Section 1245 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits any transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey unless the State and Defense departments certify that Ankara has removed the S-400 and pledged not to purchase similar Russian systems in the future.

Lawmakers said no such certification has been provided.

“Any sale or transfer of F-35 aircraft or related systems in the absence of this certification would therefore constitute a clear violation of US law,” the letter stated.

The members also warned against potential workarounds, such as transferring the jets to non-sanctioned Turkish entities, saying such moves would “blatantly defy congressional intent.”

Trump addressed the issue during his meeting with Erdogan. Asked whether he was willing to make a deal to sell F-35s to Turkey, Trump told reporters: “I think he’ll be successful in buying the things that he wants to buy.”

The US president went on to say that he could lift sanctions against Turkey “very soon,” adding that “if we have a good meeting, almost immediately.”

Erdogan has expressed frustration with Turkey’s suspension from the F-35 program and a keen interest in rejoining.

The US lawmakers’ letter highlighted growing frustration in Congress over Turkey’s behavior in the eastern Mediterranean, pointing to Ankara’s threats against Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.

Lawmakers praised US allies in the region for their cooperation with Washington while blasting Turkey for what they described as “destabilizing actions.”

“Rewarding Ankara with access to advanced US fighter systems despite this behavior would betray these partnerships and only embolden Turkey to intensify its aggression,” the lawmakers warned.

The letter, led by Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), was signed by more than a dozen Democrats and Republicans, including Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE).

The group is demanding answers from the administration by Oct. 1 on whether it has received credible assurances from Turkey regarding the removal of the S-400 system, whether it intends to submit the required certification, and whether it can commit to withholding any F-35 transfers until Congress is notified.

The State Department has said publicly that the US position on Turkey’s S-400s “has not changed” and that Washington remains committed to complying with US law.