DHS Accused of Overpaying for Planes from Political Donor's Company

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly acquired five aircraft from Daedalus Aviation Corporation at inflated prices just hours before former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem left office. The purchases included a Boeing 737 private jet for $108 million, two Gulfstream jets for $106 million, and two Boeing 737 passenger jets for $45 million each. The transactions occurred on the morning before Noem’s departure, following her dismissal on March 5 over several controversies.

Noem refuted the allegations, calling the reporting “dishonest” and claiming “numerous corrections” had been made. She disputed the term “donor,” arguing that William Walters, the head of Daedalus, contributed $10,000 to a political action committee supporting her, not directly to her. The planes were sold at significant markups compared to Daedalus’s original purchase prices, with the Boeing 737 reportedly bought for less than $90 million and the Gulfstreams for $83 million.

The five planes are part of a larger 10-plane purchase by DHS, allegedly needed for deportation flights. However, the planes have largely remained unused due to a lack of crews. Additionally, DHS hired Salus Worldwide, another company owned by Walters, to maintain the aircraft and provide chartered flights for Noem and her staff, as well as to encourage immigrant self-deportation. NewsNation sought DHS comment on the matter.