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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also claimed that ICE agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE confronting intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual clutching infant during detention.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide further details.

Congress had previously authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was revealed that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information examined from private airline GlobalX outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before removal.