Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is under fire for a jaw-dropping $170 million-plus contract to snag new jets, including one for her own travel, while the government grinds through a shutdown.
Here’s the quick rundown: Noem has greenlit a deal for the U.S. Coast Guard to acquire two shiny Gulfstream G700 jets, sparking outrage from congressional Democrats who question the timing and necessity of such a lavish expenditure, according to the Hill.
Let’s rewind a bit—Congress tucked the funding for these jets into a last-minute line item back in May, long before the current shutdown drama unfolded.
Noem argues this isn’t about luxury; it’s about replacing a fleet of 25-year-old aircraft that are practically museum pieces.
“These aircraft are Coast Guard aircraft to replace 25-year-old airplanes that are necessary for the mission of the Coast Guard,” Noem declared at a press conference. Now, that sounds reasonable—who wants to fly in a relic when lives are on the line?
But here’s the rub: Democrats are crying foul over the timing, pointing out that the Department of Homeland Security pushed this contract through during a government shutdown when essential workers are scraping by.
House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) aren’t buying Noem’s justification, demanding more details on the deal just days ago on Sunday.
“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the Deputy Secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200 million,” they wrote in a pointed letter. Talk about sticker shock—$200 million when the initial request was just $50 million?
While the left fumes over perceived extravagance, one has to wonder if they’re ignoring the bigger picture: outdated equipment doesn’t exactly scream “national security.”
The criticism doesn’t stop with the price tag; Democrats like Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are framing this as Noem putting herself above the little guy.
Still, let’s be fair—replacing aging aircraft isn’t a vanity project if the Coast Guard’s mission depends on reliable gear, and Congress did approve the funds well before any shutdown.
DeLauro and Underwood also noted Noem’s use of Coast Guard housing, typically reserved for the commandant, after she faced death threats, hinting at a pattern of special treatment.
That detail raises eyebrows, but let’s not jump the gun—facing credible threats isn’t exactly a perk, and security for top officials matters.
At the end of the day, this debate boils down to priorities: should taxpayer dollars go to new jets for critical missions, or is this just bad optics during a shutdown when federal workers are struggling?
While progressive critics might paint this as elitism, conservatives could argue it’s about ensuring the safety and effectiveness of those protecting our borders—hardly a frivolous cause in an era of endless bureaucratic waste.
