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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man holding infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer further details.

Congress had earlier authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

In September, it was reported that the administration was transporting individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Confidential information examined from charter airline GlobalX outlined the travels of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.