Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is apparently too bougie for budget economy.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking approval from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to purchase a luxury jet for $70 million, two Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News in a report published Thursday.
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According to the report, DHS recently leased the Boeing 737 Max 8 and now wants to buy the aircraft that comes with a bedroom with a queen-size bed, showers, a kitchen, four flat-screen TVs and a bar. The outlet also obtained a brochure for the jet, which notes that the aircraft features “exceptional interior design by renowned New York designer Peter Marino.”
“No expense has been spared and every detail has been meticulously executed,” the brochure read.
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Officials told NBC that ICE said the jet was necessary for Cabinet officials’ travel and would also be used for deporting migrants.
When asked by NBC how the posh plane would be used to remove migrants, a DHS spokesperson said: “At least one of the bedrooms is currently being converted for seating to prepare the aircraft to meet the demands of its deportation mission set.”
The outlet noted that according to the aircraft’s marketing materials, it has space for a maximum of 18 passengers, and it can sleep 14 people. NBC notes, however, that deportation flights typically carry 50 to 100 detainees as well as additional personnel such as medics and security officers.
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A DHS rep also told HuffPost that the purchase will help save taxpayers’ money.
“This plane flies at 40% cheaper than what the military aircraft flies for ICE deportation flights — saving the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars. … This cost-saving investment is only part of Secretary Noem’s broader efforts to clamp down on inefficiencies and save taxpayer dollars,” the spokesperson said.
Despite one of the DHS officials NBC spoke to saying that using this jet for deportations is “far-fetched,” it seems like OMB is set to approve the purchase.
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This is certainly not the first time Noem — who critics have dubbed “Cosplay Kristi” and “ICE Barbie” for her Mar-a-Largo aesthetics and way-too-on-the-nose outfit decisions — has been scrutinized for her diamond-tier traveling preferences. During the government shutdown last year, the Trump administration bought two Gulfstream G700 jets for $172 million for Noem and other senior leaders.
And last year, The Associated Press ran an analysis that found that while she was still the governor of South Dakota, Noem spent more than $150,000 flying across the country to campaign for President Donald Trump — and that South Dakota taxpayers footed the bill.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal also reported that Noem and her aide — and alleged lover — Corey Lewandowski have been traveling around in “a luxury 737 MAX jet” with “a private cabin in back.”