Homeland Security Secretary Allegedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airlines Aircraft That Airline Did Not Possess
The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing engines.
This strange incident was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the pair planned to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.
Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.
ICE confronting fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unconscious man holding infant during detention.
Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.
Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.
A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but declined to offer further details.
Congress had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration-related and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.
In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their legal rights, often by plane.
Confidential information examined from private airline GlobalX outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before deportation.
