Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was roundly mocked by political analysts and observers on Wednesday after it was revealed that her agency is spending $140 million to buy new airplanes for its deportation operations.
The Washington Post first reported on Wednesday that DHS has signed a $140 million contract with a company called Daedalus Aviation, which was formed in August 2024, to purchase six Boeing 737 airplanes that a Trump administration official told the outlet will allow immigration agents to "operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns."
Daedalus Aviation appears to have been created by a pair of executives from a company that already has a nearly $1 billion contract with DHS, according to the report.
Political analysts and observers shared their reactions on social media.
"You can’t afford healthcare — and DHS is buying itself a fleet of 737s with your money," the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats posted on X. "Were 2 private Gulfstream jets not enough for Kristi?"
"DHS is spending $140 million dollars on 6 Boeing 737 planes so they can have their own 'deportation fleet.' F Boeing," independent journalist Karly Kingsley posted on X.
"DHS is now for the first time buying its own deportation planes," journalist Katya Schwenk posted on X. "ICE already uses air charter companies for deportation flights, which is cheaper than maintaining a fleet; imo, this is about making it more difficult to scale back the agency in the long run."
"Your tax dollars at evil. Evil in your name," author Jeff Jarvis posted on X.