While Qatar may be

bestowing upon the U.S. a $400 million Boeing 747-8

for President

Donald Trump

to use as

Air Force One

,

Homeland Security

Secretary

Kristi Noem

could end up with an aircraft as well, since I’ve submitted a request for a new Gulfstream.

The U.S. Coast Guard altered its 2025 budget at the last minute to allocate $50 million for a new aircraft intended for Noem.

Excessive expenditure on private aircraft is currently a sensitive topic in Washington, D.C., due not just to the security and ethical concerns surrounding the Qatari donation, but also because of additional reasons.

might require $1 billion for upgrades

The aircraft is designed to fulfill communication and military needs for transporting the commander-in-chief.

Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood brought up the request for a new jet for Noem during a Wednesday hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

“I was shocked last Friday upon seeing an unexpected addition to your spending plan for Fiscal ’25 — a new $50 million Gulfstream V jet designated for Secretary Noem’s private use, funded through the Coast Guard budget,” Underwood said during a meeting with Acting Coast Guard Chief Admiral Kevin Lundy.

“She already has a Gulfstream V, by the way. This is a new one,” the Democrat added.

Underwood questioned Lunday about whether the request for the jet originated from high-ranking officials within the Department of Homeland Security or from another part of the Trump administration.

The admiral avoided directly responding to the query, stating instead: “My highest operational concern is addressing the requirements of our Coast Guard personnel who are engaged in front-line duties, and this also ranks as a key operational focus for the secretary.”

He stated, “She has made her position very clear to me, and I am aware that she also testified to this before the subcommittee earlier last week.”

Lunday argued that the new plane was necessary, explaining that the Coast Guard operates two military long-range command and control aircraft in its fleet, and that the older one is “approaching obsolescence and the end of its service life.”

It’s necessary to replace it as it “provides a crucial service to Coast Guard leaders and to Secretary Noem,” he added.

He explained: “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.”

Underwood wasn’t satisfied with his answer in that it had not addressed her question.


“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 V,” she said. “And I just want to note that as I conclude my time.”

The Illinois lawmaker further said on X: “We should be investing in our national security and improving the lives of our Coasties – not wasting taxpayer dollars on luxury travel and political stunts.”

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin backed up Lunday’s response on the age of the aircraft currently in operation, telling
The Daily Beast
that the current Gulfstream is over 20 years old and outside of its service life, “well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft.”

“This is a matter of safety,” she said in a statement. “Much like the Coast Guard’s ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, the Coast Guard’s aircraft are too. This administration is taking action to restore our Nation’s finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force.”


Noem faced her own grilling

In the House on Wednesday due to her “numerous photo opportunities and outfit changes” while serving as the Secretary of Homeland Security, which has led to her being dubbed “ICE Barbie.”

She similarly declined to confirm or deny the authenticity of a photo shown by President Trump that purportedly depicted supposed gang tattoos.

apparently superimposed on the knuckles

The wrongful deportation of Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego Garcia actually was

doctored

. Parts of the tattoos have not been seen in other photos of Abrego Garcia’s hands.

There was a

lengthy back-and-forth

with California Democratic Rep.

Eric Swalwell

on both matters.

Sparring with Noem concerning her apparent cosplay efforts, he said: “I don‘t need to wear costumes to show how tough I am.”

He repeatedly questioned her regarding the photograph, stating: “Secretary, I’ve got a 7-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 3-year-old. I possess a reliable BS meter. All I want to know from you is whether this image has been altered or not.”

Noem purportedly stated she had no awareness of the photograph or its intent, even though she held one of the top roles in national law enforcement.

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