Kristi Noem Wants A Swanky $70 Million Jet For Deportations — And She Might Get It | EUROtoday

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seemingly too bougie for finances economic system.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is searching for approval from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to buy a luxurious jet for $70 million, two Department of Homeland Security officers advised NBC News in a report printed Thursday.

According to the report, DHS lately leased the Boeing 737 Max 8 and now desires to purchase the plane that comes with a bed room with a queen-size mattress, showers, a kitchen, 4 flat-screen TVs and a bar. The outlet additionally obtained a brochure for the jet, which notes that the plane options “exceptional interior design by renowned New York designer Peter Marino.”

“No expense has been spared and every detail has been meticulously executed,” the brochure learn.

Officials advised NBC that ICE mentioned the jet was crucial for Cabinet officers’ journey and would even be used for deporting migrants.

When requested by NBC how the luxury airplane could be used to take away migrants, a DHS spokesperson mentioned: “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 famous that in response to the plane’s advertising supplies, it has area for a most of 18 passengers, and it may sleep 14 individuals. NBC notes, nonetheless, that deportation flights sometimes carry 50 to 100 detainees in addition to extra personnel corresponding to medics and safety officers.

A DHS rep additionally advised HuffPost that the acquisition will assist save taxpayers’ cash.

“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 mentioned.

Despite one of many DHS officers NBC spoke to saying that utilizing this jet for deportations is “far-fetched,” it looks as if OMB is about to approve the acquisition.

This is definitely not the primary time Noem — who critics have dubbed “Christmas Cosplay” and “ICE Barbie” for her Mar-a-Largo aesthetics and way-too-on-the-nose outfit selections — has been scrutinized for her diamond-tier touring preferences. During the federal government shutdown final yr, the Trump administration purchased two Gulfstream G700 jets for $172 million for Noem and different senior leaders.

And final yr, The Associated Press ran an evaluation that discovered that whereas she was nonetheless the governor of South Dakota, Noem spent greater than $150,000 flying throughout the nation to marketing campaign for President Donald Trump — and that South Dakota taxpayers footed the invoice.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal additionally reported that Noem and her aide — and alleged lover — Corey Lewandowski have been touring round in “a luxury 737 MAX jet” with “a private cabin in back.”