DHS Head Allegedly Authorized Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Planes That Carrier Didn't Own
The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the carrier did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing power plants.
This bizarre incident was detailed in a report published on Friday, which recounted how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.
Those sources also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.
Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man holding child during arrest.
Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second time in August, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the DHS.
A department representative told the Journal that some details in the report about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to provide further details.
The legislature had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.
In September, it was revealed that the administration was moving immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.
Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.
