US Homeland Security to spend $348m on private jets for Noem, other officials

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a roundtable on antifa at the White House on October 8. Photo / Demetrius Freeman, The Washington Post

The United States Coast Guard plans to buy two Gulfstream private jets to be used by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top DHS and Coast Guard officials at a total estimated cost of US$200 million ($348m), according to a document obtained by the Washington Post.

The total cost, which includes payment for training, “specialised paint” and “cabin enhancements”, far outstrips the US$50m ($87m) the Coast Guard had requested this year to purchase a new Gulfstream jet.

And the jets contract is the latest use of funds and assets by Noem and the Department of Homeland Security to draw attention.

In August, the Post reported that Noem was living rent-free at a home reserved for the Coast Guard’s top admiral. Noem’s use of the Coast Guard’s existing jet for personal travel has also been criticised by Democrats and ethics watchdogs.

A spokesperson for DHS did not respond to a request for comment.

DHS spokespeople previously said that Noem’s use of the Coast Guard residence was temporary and that she had reimbursed the government for private travel on Coast Guard-owned aircraft.

The New York Times earlier reported on the existence of the jets contract.

Congressional Democrats decried the new US$200m contract, accusing Noem of putting herself ahead of Coast Guard service members during the government shutdown.

“The procurement of new luxury jets for your use suggests that the USCG has been directed to prioritise your own comfort above the USCG’s operational needs,” Representative Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, and Representative Lauren Underwood (Illinois), the top Democrat on the homeland security subcommittee, wrote in a letter to Noem.

“We are deeply concerned about your judgment, leadership priorities, and responsibility as a steward of taxpayer dollars.”

The US$200m contract is meant to buy two Gulfstream G700 jets, which the company markets as “the pinnacle of business aviation excellence”.

It has a range of 12,470km and has the largest cabin of any Gulfstream jet, with room for up to five living spaces, according to the company’s website.

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