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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the planes were missing power plants.

This strange anecdote was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair intended to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also stated that ICE agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unconscious man holding infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

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 July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was moving individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.