DHS Head Reportedly Authorized Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airlines Planes That Carrier Didn't Own

The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing power plants.

This bizarre incident was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two intended to use the planes to expand removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

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Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

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

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to offer further details.

Congress had previously authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

In September, it was revealed that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Leaked data examined from charter airline GlobalX detailed the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before removal.