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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing engines.

This strange incident was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE agents had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

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Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but refused to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their legal rights, often by air.

Leaked data reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.