The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated a significant budget of $172 million for the acquisition of two private jets, which will be used by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other agency officials. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given Noem’s past spending practices during her tenure as the governor of South Dakota, which have come under scrutiny in recent years.
According to reports from The New York Times, the Coast Guard, which operates under the DHS, has contracted for two long-range Gulfstream G700 jets. These jets are touted for having “the most spacious cabin in the industry,” as highlighted on Gulfstream’s website. The purchase comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the aging aircraft currently in use, including one that Noem has been assigned, which is over 20 years old.
Coast Guard Acting Commandant Kevin Lunday testified before Congress earlier this year about the need for updated equipment, stating that the existing jet’s “avionics are increasingly obsolete” and that it requires recapitalization. Lunday has requested an additional $50 million for the Coast Guard budget to facilitate the replacement of Noem’s current aircraft.
Amidst this backdrop, the funding source for the $172 million contract remains unclear. Earlier this year, a Republican-sponsored policy bill included $2.3 billion for the procurement of rotary-wing aircraft, but it is uncertain if the same funding applied to the jet purchases. An unnamed spokesperson from DHS emphasized that the acquisition was driven by safety concerns, noting that the existing jet is “well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft.”
Noem has implemented a policy requiring her personal approval for any DHS expenditure exceeding $100,000. This protocol has reportedly led to a backlog of spending requests. In a letter to Noem, Representatives Laura DeRosa (D-Conn.) and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) expressed their concerns regarding the jet purchases, questioning the prioritization of Noem’s comfort over operational needs, especially during a government shutdown. They urged her to clarify the funding source for these acquisitions, stating, “we are deeply concerned about your judgment, leadership priorities, and responsibility as a steward of taxpayer dollars.”
Noem’s financial decisions have been contentious since her time as governor. Notably, she spent $68,000 on upgrades to the governor’s mansion, which included new rugs, chandeliers, and a sauna. Her travel expenses while campaigning for former President Donald Trump also raised alarms, amounting to $150,000 funded by South Dakota taxpayers. This included extravagant trips such as a bear hunt in Canada and a six-day journey to Paris for a right-wing gathering.
According to The Washington Post, Noem has used Coast Guard jets to travel to South Dakota at least nine times as of mid-July. A representative for Noem stated that her stay at a Coast Guard property, typically reserved for high-ranking officials, was due to safety considerations and that she had reimbursed the government “tens of thousands of dollars” for personal travel on the jet.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of these jet purchases and their funding sources will likely continue to be scrutinized by lawmakers and the public alike. This latest expenditure underscores ongoing concerns about fiscal responsibility within government agencies and the prioritization of personal comfort over operational requirements.
