William Bennett, the Secretary of Education during the Reagan administration, has registered as a foreign agent for Qatar.
“In light of Dr. Bennett’s extensive professional history dealing with education, the purpose of this engagement is to provide him with information relating to American universities offering curriculum in Qatar, to allow him to review and understand funding decisions made by the Qatari government relating to these schools, to promote Western understanding of the nature of these expenditures and the nature of the curriculum, and, most broadly, to promote economic and cultural understanding between Qatar and the United States,” the paperwork states.
Bennett’s role began June 30. The former secretary will be paid $30,000 a month by the Qatari government “for a seven-month period, serving as a Senior Education Advisor to the Embassy of Qatar,” the filing adds. “In turn, Dr. Bennett will make efforts to publicize the fact that Qatari higher education efforts do not support radical Islamicist movements or positions, and his engaging in publicized efforts—potentially including communications to U.S. political office holders—would help dispel contrary notions.”
The registration paperwork notes that Bennett will “likely author op-ed or blog postings on the subject, make himself available for TV, radio or internet streamed interviews, and make himself available to Congress, should pertinent hearings or conversations arise.” Discussing political activities affiliated with the position, the paperwork notes that it is “conceivable that congressional hearings or interest may arise that offer Dr. Bennett an opportunity to discuss his research and position on Qatari influence and expenditures relating to education.”
A 2024 report found that Qatar has given more than $5.6 billion to 61 U.S. schools, including Ivy League universities, while $243 million has been spent on lobbying efforts. According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), Qatar is a “major Hamas financier” and has given an estimated $1.8 billion to Gaza since 2007.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration secured a $1.2 trillion commitment with Qatar in May. The commitment includes the “historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways,” the White House said at the time.
