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DHS · Government Spending · Luxury Jet · Trump Administration
The Trump administration will retain and repurpose a controversial $70 million luxury Boeing jet, originally acquired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for mass deportations, for use by First Lady Melania Trump and cabinet secretaries.
The jet, featuring luxury amenities like a bedroom, showers, kitchen, and a bar, was purchased prior to the confirmation of new Secretary Markwayne Mullin. While a DHS spokesperson affirmed its availability for secure command and control and rapid long-range mobility for cabinet members, some DHS officials privately expressed concerns to NBC News regarding the necessity of such a lavish aircraft for deportation missions.
ICE claims one bedroom is being converted for additional seating to prepare the aircraft for its deportation mission. The Republican National Committee (RNC) circulated the NBC story to top GOP officials, though an RNC spokesperson dismissed it as standard media monitoring.
Noem had previously used the leased jet for a trip to Tel Aviv.
