DHS Spends $172M on Two Private Jets for Noem, Officials Amid Shutdown

"The Department of Homeland Security has signed a $172 million contract to buy two top-of-the-line private jets for use by Secretary Kristi Noem and other leaders, reports say, amid a lengthy government shutdown threatening crucial services for everyday Americans. The purchase is for two Gulfstream G700 jets, which are advertised by the company as planes with the "most spacious cabin in the industry," the New York Times reported. A record of the sale, by the Coast Guard, was posted on the government's federal procurement website on Friday. The Washington Post also reported on the sale, but cited documents saying that the sale totalled $200 million."

"The jets are slated to be used by Noem, who has faced scrutiny for her frequent use of Coast Guard resources, and other top DHS officials, the agency said in a statement on the purchase. "These aircraft are required to provide official travel for the secretary of homeland security, deputy secretary homeland security, commandant of the Coast Guard, vice commandant and Atlantic and Pacific commanders as specified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Department of Homeland Security policy," the agency wrote."

The Department of Homeland Security signed a contract for two Gulfstream G700 private jets intended for Secretary Kristi Noem and other senior officials, with reported costs ranging from about $172 million to $200 million. A Coast Guard procurement record was posted on the federal procurement website and other documents placed the total near $200 million. The aircraft are designated for official travel by the secretary, deputy secretary, Coast Guard commandant, vice commandant, and Atlantic and Pacific commanders under OMB and DHS policy. The purchase occurred amid a prolonged government shutdown and drew bipartisan criticism, with at least one Democrat calling the move "completely vile." The agency later posted on a social platform contesting a headline, a statement critics said contradicted its own messaging.

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