DHS Officials Question Noem's Luxury Deportation Jet

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A $70 million Boeing 737 Max 8 jet used by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski is outfitted with luxury features like a bedroom with a queen bed, shower, kitchen, and bar, despite being designated for deportation operations. Some DHS officials have privately questioned whether the expensive acquisition is necessary to support the administration's mass deportation policy, with one official calling the deportation designation "far-fetched".

Why it matters

The revelation of the luxury jet's amenities has raised concerns about the appropriate use of government resources for deportation efforts, especially as typical deportation planes are designed to accommodate larger numbers of detainees in more austere conditions.

The details

Interior photographs of the aircraft show it is equipped with a bedroom featuring a queen bed, shower facilities, a kitchen, four large flat-screen televisions, and a bar. ICE officials initially assured the Office of Management and Budget that the aircraft would be used for deportations and occasional Cabinet official travel, but some ICE personnel questioned whether the luxurious design was appropriate for deportation flights. One official involved in the purchase characterized the deportation designation as questionable, calling it "far-fetched."

• The $70 million Boeing 737 Max 8 jet was acquired in 2026.

What they’re saying