DHS Head Reportedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Carrier Didn't Own
The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing engines.
This bizarre incident was detailed in a report published on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two intended to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for private use.
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.
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Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.
Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.
A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.
The legislature had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.
In September, it was revealed that the administration was transporting individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.
Leaked data examined from private airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before removal.
