DHS Head Allegedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Carrier Didn't Own
The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before learning that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.
This strange anecdote was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two planned to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.
Those sources also stated that ICE officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.
ICE facing intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man holding child during arrest.
Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.
In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.
A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to provide additional clarification.
Congress had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the US government.
In September, it was revealed that the administration was transporting immigrants detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.
Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.
