DHS Head's Controversial Aircraft Purchase Unveiled
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly authorised the purchase of ten Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines in a deal arranged with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. The arrangement, revealed in a Wall Street Journal investigation, took an unusual turn when officials discovered the aircraft lacked engines and Spirit Airlines didn't actually own the planes.
The Problematic Deal Structure
According to sources familiar with the situation, Noem and Lewandowski intended to use the jets for two primary purposes: expanding deportation flights and facilitating personal travel. The plan faced immediate internal criticism, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials warning that purchasing aircraft would prove significantly more expensive than simply extending existing flight contracts.
The complications multiplied when investigators discovered that Spirit Airlines, which had filed for bankruptcy protection in August, didn't hold ownership of the aircraft in question. Furthermore, the engines would have required separate acquisition, adding another layer of complexity and cost to the already questionable arrangement.
Previous Luxury Jet Acquisitions Under Scrutiny
This isn't the first controversial aircraft purchase involving the Department of Homeland Security during the government shutdown period. Democratic representatives Rosa DeLauro and Lauren Underwood revealed in October that the DHS had acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200 million during the record-long government shutdown.
In a letter addressed to the Department, the representatives expressed concern about the "sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets" intended for travel by the secretary and deputy secretary.
Broader Immigration Context
The aircraft purchase attempt occurs against the backdrop of substantial immigration funding approved by Congress. In July, legislators passed legislation dedicating approximately $170 billion for immigration and border-related operations, making ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency within the federal government.
Meanwhile, concerns about immigrant treatment during deportation processes continue to surface. The Guardian reported in September that the Trump administration was transporting detained immigrants in ways that potentially violated their constitutional rights, often using air travel. Leaked data from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants shuttled across the country before deportation.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson challenged aspects of the Wall Street Journal's reporting about the plane purchases, describing them as inaccurate, though they declined to provide specific corrections or additional clarification. According to the Journal's sources, the plan to acquire the Spirit Airlines aircraft has since been paused.
