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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange incident was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to offer additional clarification.

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

In the autumn, it was revealed that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.