Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is set to receive a new $50 million Gulfstream 5 jet under a last-minute addition to the Coast Guard budget.
Rep. Lauren Underwood criticized the agency for the unexpected $50 million line item, stating that it was never requested or mentioned before it suddenly showed up as an expense request. This also comes as Noem's boss, President Donald Trump, fights a separate battle over a $400 million private jet gifted to him by Qatar that he wants to use as Air Force One.
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security said, per The Hill, "I was horrified last Friday when we received a last minute addition to your spend plan for fiscal ’25, a new $50 million Gulfstream 5 for Secretary Noem’s personal travel coming from the Coast Guard budget. She already has a Gulfstream 5, by the way, this is a new one."
The Department of Homeland Security defended the jet request, citing safety concerns due to the current Gulfstream 5 being over twenty years old and beyond its service life. Noem, who is widely nicknamed "ICE Barbie" for prancing around in closely fitted uniforms with flowing hair extensions and heavy makeup, did not comment on the request, but acting Coast Guard Chief Admiral Kevin Lunday did.
“This aircraft is necessary to provide… secure, reliable, on-demand communications and movement to go forward, visit our operating forces conducting the missions, and then come back here to Washington to make sure we can work together to get them what they need,” he said.
But Underwood wasn't having it during the budget hearing.
“I just want to note that I didn’t hear the admiral answer the question about whether he was directed to purchase this new Gulfstream 5,” she said. “And I just want to note that as I conclude my time.”