DHS parks $464M airplanes
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
DHS spent $464 million on 10 used jets via no-bid contract, then parked them. The idle fleet shows risks of rushed, no-bid government contracts.
Background
The Department of Homeland Security used a no-bid contract to buy 10 used airplanes for $464 million, claiming they were urgently needed for deportation flights. However, the fleet has largely sat idle for months, with three luxury business jets and seven older Boeing 737s parked at an airport in Louisiana. An internal document says the agency lacked staff to operate them, highlighting concerns about rushed contracting procedures.
How it unfolded
- last fallDHS spent $464 million on a no-bid contract to buy 10 used airplanes from Daedalus Aviation Corporation, citing urgency for deportation flights.
- recentlyThe planes have been barely used; three luxury jets were sought to be loaned or leased to other agencies, and seven Boeing 737s remained parked in Lake Charles, La., for months.
- Aug 13, 2026The New York Times reported the findings, noting an internal document said the agency lacked staff to operate the planes.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- DHS said the planes were urgently needed for deportation flights, justifying the no-bid contract.
- Critics
- Top Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee sent a letter questioning the use of the planes, including one for FBI Director Kash Patel.
Still unverified
The letter from Senate Democrats is mentioned but not fully quoted; the specific details of the loan/lease arrangements are unconfirmed.