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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a investigation released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair intended to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in August, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer further details.

The legislature had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the government was transporting immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.

Confidential information examined from private airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before deportation.