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The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report published on Friday, which described how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE facing fierce backlash after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.

Congress had earlier approved the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was revealed that the administration was moving individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their legal rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.