Homeland Security Secretary Reportedly Approved Acquisition of 10 Engineless Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Carrier Did Not Possess
The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the planes were missing engines.
This strange incident was detailed in a report released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.
Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.
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Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in August, did not possess the jets 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 funding panel said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.
Congress had earlier approved the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.
In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was moving immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their legal rights, often by plane.
Confidential information reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.
