🔗 Share this article

The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also claimed that ICE agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

ICE confronting fierce backlash after video apparently shows unconscious man holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to provide further details.

The legislature had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was revealed that the administration was moving individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that breached their legal rights, often by air.

Leaked data examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.