DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the purchase of two $170 million Gulfstream jets to replace Coast Guard aircraft, a decision some officials viewed as unnecessary and expensive — but DHS officials told NBC News they were instructed to keep concerns to themselves. The tension escalated after Noem's Coast Guard plane broke down, forcing her to use a backup jet. Noem had deviated from protocol by keeping personal items, including a heated blanket, on board for convenience. When she realized she left these items behind, Homeland Security advisor Corey Lewandowski berated flight staff and demanded the plane return to retrieve them. When the Coast Guard pilot refused, Lewandowski announced the pilot was relieved of duty. The pilot explained that firing him would require immediate landing and finding a replacement pilot. Lewandowski ultimately backed down, and the pilot was reinstated. A DHS spokesperson declined to comment on the in-flight confrontation.
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