Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, May 15: In a fresh controversy over government spending, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem is under fire for requesting a new Gulfstream jet, a move that comes just as former President Donald Trump renews calls for a new Air Force One.
The proposed acquisition — reportedly costing $50 million and allegedly sourced from the U.S. Coast Guard’s budget — was sharply criticized during a House Appropriations Committee hearing by Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois). She accused Noem of prioritizing luxury over national security needs, especially given the Coast Guard’s aging operational fleet.
“She already has a Gulfstream 5, by the way, but she wants a new one paid for with your taxpayer dollars,” Underwood posted 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.”
At the hearing, Adm. Kevin Lunday, the acting Coast Guard commandant, avoided directly confirming whether DHS leadership had instructed the Coast Guard to pursue a new plane for Secretary Noem. However, he acknowledged that the department's aircraft fleet is “aging,” with one Gulfstream “approaching obsolescence.”
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, later defended the move, stating that the current Gulfstream jet, a C-37A model in service since 2002, has exceeded safe usage limits for corporate aircraft.
The Coast Guard traditionally maintains two Gulfstream aircraft — one of which is a Gulfstream 550 acquired in 2020 for $66 million, designated C-37B. These jets are shared between senior Coast Guard officers and top DHS civilian officials. Critics argue, however, that executive air travel upgrades are being prioritized while critical rescue aircraft — some dating back to the 1980s — continue to age without replacement.
A 2023 GAO report flagged the deferred modernization of essential operational equipment, including helicopters and search-and-rescue planes, which are vital for saving lives and ensuring coastal security.
The timing of the DHS request is notable, as it coincides with Donald Trump’s continued push for two new Air Force One aircraft, ordered during his presidency. The Boeing aircraft are still facing production delays, drawing the former president’s ire as he eyes a potential return to the White House in 2025.
Observers have drawn comparisons between Trump’s high-profile Air Force One plans and Secretary Noem’s quieter bid for a luxury Gulfstream, questioning the optics of such expenditures amidst growing scrutiny over public spending.
As the issue gains traction, lawmakers are expected to further probe the budgetary allocations, especially those pulled from essential services, as the debate over luxury vs. necessity continues in Washington’s corridors of power.