Apr 10, 2026
When President Donald Trump fired his Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in March, it looked like a reset after weeks of controversy. But the onus yoked on her that didn't go away was the $70 million luxury Boeing 737 Max 8. Now the dead weight, recently commandeered by the Trump administration (1), is raising new questions about the spending priorities of the current administration.
Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin (2) of Maryland called out Noem in March over her alleged use of $172 million in taxpayer funds to use not one, but two luxury jets.
Advertisement
The Boeing 737 Max 8 was allegedly the third plane used by the since-fired secretary. And the criticism is not just partisan either, as RJ Hauman, the director of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement and a prominent conservative lobbyist, called out the expenditure.
"Wasting tens of millions of dollars on a luxury jet that won't remove a single illegal alien is offensive," RJ Hauman (3), the director of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement, said.
Leaving on a jet plane
Noem first made headlines in November 2025, when her agency arranged to lease a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet. Originally intended to fly her and top aide Corey Lewandowski around the country, there were plans to outright purchase the jet and even had it earmarked for "high-profile deportations" (4).
The Boeing (5) model has a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs and even a bar. NBC News (6) reported the plane's features and a brochure about them.
"ICE purchased this plane before Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin was confirmed," a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman said in a statement. "This aircraft will be available to cabinet members who need secure command and control and rapid long-range mobility."
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which handled the jet's purchase, thought the plans to buy it would be scuttled. However, once Noem was removed from the DHS, the White House took control of it, quashing any say from the DHS.
Mullin was appointed on March 24 by the President to replace Noem. The plane will also be used for other cabinet secretaries and potentially the First Lady, Melania Trump.
Advertisement
The skies haven't always been friendly to the current administration, as Trump also faced criticism for being gifted the same type of plane from the Qatari royal family in January. They officially accepted (7) the jet in May.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
- Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
National debt soars to record highs
Although bringing down the national debt was part of Trump's 2016 campaign, it was not front and center for his 2024 return to office.
Still, the millstone of Noem's luxury plane expenditures has led to an increase in criticism over how taxpayers' money is spent, with large chunks of money, earmarked for ICE enforcement, being used on non-essential items.
The same goes for the president's current $400 million (8) ballroom/renovation project in place of the East Wing.
According to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos (9) poll released on October 30, 2025, 56% of Americans oppose the project, including 45% who said they strongly oppose it. Add to that the additional $2.765 billion that's been added to the national debt since April 8, 2025, and Americans have a right to be concerned with how their money is being spent.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
The Wall Street Journal (1),(3),(4); USA Today (2); Boeing (5); NBC News (6); NPR (7); Fortune (8); The Washington Post (9)
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she’s getting slammed for it. Which option would you pick?
- Warren Buffett used these 8 repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Brian Baker is an Associate Editor with Moneywise. He has been a media professional for over 20 years.
