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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange anecdote was contained in a report published on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two planned to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting fierce backlash after footage apparently shows unconscious man clutching child during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“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 jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.

Congress had earlier approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that breached their legal rights, often by plane.

Leaked data examined from private airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before removal.