DHS spends $464 million on overpriced jets from donor-linked firm under Noem
The Department of Homeland Security approved $464 million in contracts for ten aircraft from donor-connected Daedalus Aviation, a deal finalized before Markwayne Mullin assumed office and later judged far above market value.
One of Kristi Noem’s last actions as Homeland Security secretary was to approve contracts totaling $464 million for ten aircraft from Daedalus Aviation Corporation, a firm owned by pro-Trump donor William Walters III. The purchases included a Boeing 737 Max 8 for $108 million, two smaller luxury jets for $106 million, and two nearly 20-year-old 737 passenger planes at $45 million each, all priced well above market values.
Daedalus had bought the jets months earlier for considerably less, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. After Noem’s dismissal, her successor Markwayne Mullin tried to reverse the deals, but White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles advised against blocking them. The aircraft, touted as essential for immigration enforcement, remain grounded in Lake Charles, Louisiana, as DHS lacks crews to fly them. The episode adds to a series of controversies surrounding Noem, now serving as a State Department special envoy.
Why it matters
Taxpayers face inflated costs for government aircraft, highlighting potential procurement abuse and conflict of interest.
In this story
