The $70 million Boeing jet features a bedroom, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs, and a bar, according to multiple reports. ICE claims the jet will be used for deportations and travel for Cabinet officials, including DHS leadership like Noem. The jet was originally purchased to help with Trump's mass deportation agenda, according to major media sources.
The jet was bought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and it had already been leased by DHS and was used for a recent trip by Noem to Tel Aviv, according to major media reports. A spokesperson for DHS affirmed that the $70 million jet was purchased prior to the confirmation of new Secretary Markwayne Mullin, as reported by major media. Trump said Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would take over Noem’s post and Noem would become the special envoy for Trump’s new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere, 'The Shield of the Americas,' according to major media.
They're smart. Corey is really smart. I don't take that away from them. Because they flew the first lady on it, they think they're bulletproof.
First Lady Melania Trump will be among those who get to use the $70 million luxury jet, according to multiple reports. Ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had lent first lady Melania Trump one of the agency’s luxury jets as an 'insurance policy' to protect her from backlash over her spending of taxpayer dollars, according to a Trump administration official cited by major media. Noem and Corey Lewandowski, her top adviser and rumored affair partner, had lent the Boeing jet to Melania, according to major media.
The first lady reportedly used the jet to travel from Washington, D.C., to New York on several occasions, according to major media. However, it remains unknown how often Melania Trump has used the jet, and for what exact purposes, beyond these reported trips. Some of the president's cabinet secretaries will also be allowed to use the $70 million luxury jet, according to major media, but the specific criteria determining which cabinet members can access it have not been disclosed.
I never knew anything about it.
Some DHS officials privately expressed concern whether the luxury 737 jet is necessary for Noem to carry out the president's mass deportation agenda, according to major media citing DHS officials. The broader context includes DHS having purchased two Gulfstream private jets for Noem and other top officials for $172 million, according to major media. The agency was also reportedly hoping to buy a Boeing 737 Max 8, which it's currently leasing, for $70 million, as per major media reports.
The total cost to taxpayers for all luxury jets purchased or leased by DHS under Noem remains unknown, adding to financial transparency concerns. Noem got the boot, which came shortly after the secretary was grilled by Congress for her alleged mismanagement of DHS, according to major media. In Senate and House hearings this week, Noem defended a $220 million ad campaign to promote border security, which includes a scene of Noem on a horse in front of Mount Rushmore in her home state of South Dakota, according to major media. Trump said Thursday he did not sign off on the ad campaign, telling Reuters he never knew anything about it, despite Noem telling the Senate that the president had approved the ads, as reported by major media.
Detailed findings from Congress regarding Noem's alleged mismanagement of DHS are not publicly available, leaving questions about the extent of any misconduct. Noem has been criticized over the tactics used by federal agents in carrying out Trump’s massive immigration crackdown, which resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, and for spending on lavish jets and ad campaigns predominantly featuring the secretary, according to major media. NBC's scoop caused the RNC to flag the story to top power brokers and media pundits in the Republican party, according to major media.
Lewandowski is also reportedly leaving the agency, according to major media, amid rumors about his role in jet lending. The implications of the jet's continued use under the Trump administration include ongoing scrutiny over its purpose, with evidence supporting the allegation that Noem lent the jet as an 'insurance policy' remaining unclear. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Noem are seeking approval from the White House to purchase a $70 million luxury Boeing jet, according to major media. With Noem's ouster, the jet's future under new leadership, including potential approval processes, remains a point of focus as ICE continues its efforts for jet approval.