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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing power plants.

This strange anecdote was contained in a report published on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two intended to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The proposal has since been halted, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide further details.

The legislature had earlier approved the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.

In September, it was revealed that the administration was transporting immigrants detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline GlobalX outlined the travels of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the nation before removal.