Kristi Noem, who is recently appointed for the position of head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is at the centre of harsh criticism after the agency’s decision to approve the deal for acquiring two top-tier Gulfstream jets reportedly for her use and that of senior officials.
The contract, estimated at around $172 million was brought to light during a government shutdown which puts the question marks over various priorities and fiscal stewardship.
What to Know About the New Jets
They are Gulfstream G700 business jets, some of the most up-to-date models in private aviation. Coast Guard original projection included budgeting for a jet replacement at nearly $50 million for a single plane such procurement went much over this estimate. Proponents contend that older fleet is obsolete and unsafe critics argue that pricing and timing are hard to justify.
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Kristi Noem’s Defense of the Contract
Noem said these planes would be turned into replacements for the Coast Guard’s long-range command aircraft, noting that Congress has authorized funds for them.
“These are Coast Guard aircraft to replace 25-year-old planes necessary for the mission,” she said, adding gratitude that the work may proceed. The DHS maintains that the investment supports mission-critical mobility and secure communications for senior officials.
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Political & Public Backlash
The purchase has garnered much negative fire from congressional Democrats and critics across various social media platforms. Lawmakers used words such as immoral and probably illegal about the timing during a federal shutdown which many frontline personnel face freeze.
One representative asked for full disclosures on how the procurement deviated from previously submitted budgets and whether the proper oversight mechanisms were bypassed.
Luxury or Necessity: DHS Gulfstream Jets Purchase
The argument at its centre is that those jets can be either means essential to carry out certain functions or simply extravagant gifts from the state budget. Current jets have a range of 7,750 miles, can hold 19 passengers and offer up to 13 sleeping arrangements with exquisite configurations of their cabins.
The old jets were reportedly in for frequent maintenance and had unreliable communication systems making a technical case for replacement. Even so, the extravagant imagery comparable to jets owned by billionaires have stoked public anger over spending priorities in the federal system.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement or criticism of any individuals or government actions mentioned.
