Noem’s $410M Jet Purchases from Donor Draw Bi-Partisan Pushback
NEWS & RESEARCH
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spent over $410 million on a new aircraft fleet, including $140 million for six Boeing 737 deportation planes and $270 million for three luxury jets. One 737, equipped with a queen-size bedroom and deluxe bar, was used by former Secretary Kristi Noem for travel with adviser Corey Lewandowski and loaned to First Lady Melania Trump. All aircraft were acquired through companies linked to William Walters, a former State Department official and donor to both Noem and Donald Trump.
SOURCES: Mother Jones | Washington Post | New York Times
ANALYSIS & OPINION
While Noem claimed the fleet would "double deportations," the "aircraft-buying binge" drew bipartisan fire. Right-leaning Reason Magazine characterized the luxury acquisitions as taxpayer exploitation, while Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) labeled them symbols of "arrogance and entitlement." Ethics experts and DHS whistleblowers have flagged a lack of competitive bidding, noting that former DHS Under Secretary Christopher Pratt is a former colleague of Noem donor Walters.
SOURCES: Reason | NBC News | Mother Jones | Mike Levin Op-Ed: Orange County Register
HOW TO FIX IT
Congressional action to address oversight and contracting transparency:
Audit Spending: Support Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D-CT) request for a GAO legal opinion on the legality of these purchases.
Investigate Misconduct: Back the DHS Inspector General’s ongoing audit of department contracting.
Restrict No-Bid Contracts: Narrowly define exemptions that allow for noncompetitive, "sole-source" federal awards, and strictly enforce these rules.
Amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation: To support the rigorous implementation of the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act.
