Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is in the hot seat again — and this time it’s over a luxury trip to Qatar that critics say was part of a foreign “influence operation.”
The Nevada War Room summed it up bluntly in a recent post on X:
“Ford led an organization devoted to flying AG’s on vacation around the world to places like Qatar so they can connect with deep-pocketed, questionable characters.”
NEW: @AaronDFordNV’s special interest-funded vacations are getting new scrutiny today.
It turns out his fancy junket to Qatar was linked to an “influence op” by their government to gain clout with American politicians.
Ford led an organization devoted to flying AG’s on…
— Nevada War Room – Better NV PAC (@BetterNevadaPAC) August 15, 2025
The Backstory
Here’s how it happened.
Ford took part in a $15,000 trip to Qatar in 2021, paid for through the Attorney General Alliance (AGA) — a nonprofit that bills itself as a “bipartisan forum” for state AGs.
The AGA’s sponsors include big names like Pfizer and Amazon, which each contributed at least $500,000 that year.
That $1 million combined made up nearly 20% of AGA’s budget.
While AGA claims these trips are about improving international cooperation on issues like human trafficking and cybersecurity, the Washington Free Beacon uncovered that Qatar — a nation with a troubling record on human rights — has used these events to cozy up to American officials.
The country bans same-sex relationships, has been accused of using slave labor, and is home to Hamas’s political bureau.
Why This Matters for Nevada
Ford isn’t just another attendee.
As Nevada’s attorney general, he’s the top law enforcement officer in the state. His job is supposed to be protecting Nevadans, not mingling with foreign officials in a Gulf monarchy known for censorship and corruption.
And the AGA isn’t some small-time club. Many former AGs go on to become governors, U.S. senators, or even president.
Qatar knows this, which is why critics say these junkets are a smart way for them to build relationships that might pay off later.
It’s like when a car salesman offers you a “free weekend getaway” before you sign the paperwork. They’re not doing it out of kindness. They’re hoping you’ll feel a little more obligated when it’s time to make a deal.
The Hypocrisy Problem
The irony here is hard to miss.
Pfizer, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta all boast perfect “Corporate Equality Index” scores for LGBTQ workplace policies.
Yet they’re bankrolling a group that partners with a country where waving a Pride flag can land you in prison – or worse.
Tom Jones from the American Accountability Foundation put it plainly:
“The next time one of these companies puts their name on a pride parade and slaps a rainbow sticker in your face, just remember that they pay millions to boost an influence operation that helps a country where homosexuality is illegal.”
Ford’s Role
According to reports, Ford’s 2021 trip to Qatar included meetings with the country’s Minister of Justice and other officials.
While there’s nothing illegal about attending, the optics are bad.
When corporate and foreign money funds lavish travel for elected officials, it raises questions about who they’re really working for.
Pfizer told the Free Beacon its work with AGA is focused on fighting counterfeit medicines and fentanyl-laced drugs, and distanced itself from the Qatar connection.
Amazon didn’t comment.
The Bigger Picture
Defenders will argue that international cooperation is important and that discussing global problems face-to-face is worthwhile.
But conservatives point out there are better ways to do it — ways that don’t involve luxury travel paid for by special interests and linked to foreign governments.
At the very least, Nevadans deserve transparency.
Who paid? What was discussed? And what, if anything, did Ford commit to while he was there?
When you’re elected to serve the people of Nevada, your loyalty should be to them — not to deep-pocketed donors, corporate sponsors, or foreign governments.
If Aaron Ford can’t make that clear, voters will draw their own conclusions.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
