DHS Head Allegedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Airline Did Not Possess
The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft were missing power plants.
This bizarre incident was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two intended to use the jets to expand deportation flights – and for personal travel.
Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.
ICE confronting intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.
Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.
In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's record-long 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 entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide further details.
The legislature had previously authorized the termed “major immigration 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 heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.
In September, it was revealed that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.
Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX outlined the travels of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before removal.