A private jet with the Coast Guard emblem on the tail, parked on a tarmac with a price tag of $172 million dangling from the wing, photorealistic.
A private jet with the Coast Guard emblem on the tail, parked on a tarmac with a price tag of $172 million dangling from the wing, photorealistic.

Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million

Recent reports indicate that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, has authorized the purchase of two Gulfstream G700 private jets for approximately $200 million. This decision has sparked significant controversy, especially given its timing during a government shutdown.

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lauren Underwood have expressed deep concern over this expenditure. In a letter to Secretary Noem, they highlighted that the contract contradicts the acquisition strategy and operational needs previously outlined by DHS. They also pointed out a pattern of prioritizing personal comfort over the needs of U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers.

This purchase follows earlier discussions in May 2025, when DHS proposed acquiring a new Gulfstream V jet for $50 million to replace an aging aircraft used by Secretary Noem and top Coast Guard officials. At that time, Acting Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday emphasized the necessity of reliable, secure, and on-demand communications for agency leaders.

Critics argue that such expenditures are inappropriate, especially during a period when many Coast Guard personnel are working without pay due to the government shutdown. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen commented, "While members of the Coast Guard are focused on keeping our seas safe even though many are not getting paid, Secretary Kristi Noem wants to buy hundred million dollar jets."

In contrast, DHS has previously taken steps to reduce wasteful spending. In June 2025, Secretary Noem announced the cancellation of a failing U.S. Coast Guard shipbuilding project, returning over $260 million to the U.S. Treasury. This action was presented as a commitment to fiscal responsibility and the modernization of the Coast Guard.

The recent jet purchases have intensified debates over budget priorities within DHS, especially concerning the balance between administrative expenditures and operational needs during financially constrained periods.

The prompt for this was: Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million

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