Homeland Security Secretary Reportedly Authorized Purchase of 10 Engineless Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Airline Did Not Possess
The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the planes were missing engines.
This bizarre incident was contained in a report published on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former campaign manager had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.
Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.
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Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been halted, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.
“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.
A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to provide further details.
The legislature had earlier approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.
In the autumn, it was reported that the government was transporting immigrants detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.
Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.
