The $70 Million “Flying Palace”: Inside the Luxury VVIP Jet Kristi Noem Wants Taxpayers to Buy for “Deportations”
In the halls of power, the optics of spending are often as significant as the policy itself. However, a new report regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has shifted the conversation from policy to pure opulence. At the center of this burgeoning controversy is Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and a $70 million 737 Max Jet that critics are calling a “Flying Palace.” While the official justification for the purchase is the logistical necessity of deportations and cabinet travel, the internal reality of the aircraft suggests a level of luxury that far exceeds the standard requirements of federal law enforcement.
The story broke as investigations into government travel intensified, revealing a pattern of high-altitude excess. Colleagues at MSNOW first highlighted the travel habits of high-ranking officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, whose recent trip to the Winter Olympics in Milan to watch men’s ice hockey reportedly cost taxpayers upwards of $75,000. Yet, as significant as those numbers are, they pale in comparison to the capital investment being sought by Noem’s department. The request to purchase a 737 Max Jet for $70 million has sent shockwaves through Washington, particularly as details of the aircraft’s “VVIP” configuration have come to light.
A virtual tour of the aircraft, which has already been leased and used by Noem and her deputy, Corey Lewandowski, provides a jarring look at what federal “deportation” funds might soon be buying. Far from the utilitarian, high-capacity transport one might expect for the removal of individuals from the country, this jet is a masterclass in executive luxury. The exterior may bear the markings of a standard 737, but the interior is designed for the ultimate comfort of a select few.
Upon entering the aircraft, visitors are greeted by high-end paneling and a sleek, modern hallway that leads to a variety of specialized rooms. One of the most striking features is the presence of multiple luxury bathrooms. In a detail that has drawn both ridicule and ire, the plane features bathrooms equipped with showers—a luxury that was reportedly not even available on some previous First Lady aircraft. The Secretary’s personal powder room features high-end fixtures and marble-style finishes, raising immediate questions about why such amenities are necessary for the stated mission of the aircraft.
Moving further into the plane, the galley kitchen appears more suited for a five-star restaurant than a government transport. Equipped with stainless steel appliances, dual refrigerators, and even a microwave—a detail the reporter noted with personal surprise—the kitchen is designed to provide high-end catering for long-haul flights. The presence of these amenities suggests that the aircraft is intended for much more than short-range hops; it is built for the kind of international travel that has already seen Noem and Lewandowski visiting “exotic locales” for boat rides and camel tours.
The seating area continues the theme of extreme comfort. The cabin is outfitted with plush, leather “captain’s chairs” that provide ample space for meetings or relaxation. These seats are not designed for the maximum occupancy one would expect in a deportation scenario; rather, the configuration allows for 18 passengers to sit and 14 to sleep in total comfort. For those looking to unwind, the plane even includes a wet bar in the corner, complete with high stools. The inclusion of a bar on a plane allegedly purchased for law enforcement and deportations is perhaps the most vivid illustration of the disconnect between the official narrative and the physical reality of the jet.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the $70 million request is the master bedroom. The aircraft features a private suite for the Secretary, complete with a large bed, designer throw blankets, high-thread-count sheets, and specialized reading lamps. It is a space designed for total privacy and rest, far removed from the chaotic reality of the border operations the Secretary oversees. Adjacent to the bedroom is yet another bathroom with a shower, bringing the total to two—a level of redundancy in luxury that has become a lightning rod for criticism.
The décor of the plane also raises eyebrows, with artwork such as a painting that reportedly says “Jet Baby” hanging on the walls. This whimsical, high-fashion atmosphere stands in stark contrast to the somber and serious nature of the work the Department of Homeland Security is tasked with performing. Critics argue that the purchase of such a vehicle is not just a waste of money, but a symbol of an administration that has lost touch with the taxpayers it serves.
The defense from the administration remains that the aircraft is a necessary tool for “deportations and travel for cabinet officials.” However, given that the plane is configured to sleep only 14 people in luxury rather than transport dozens in a secure, utilitarian environment, that defense is being met with extreme skepticism. “I think we know by now what Noem’s word is worth,” the report concludes, “and it is a lot less than 70 million taxpayer dollars.”
As the request for the purchase moves through the approval process, the “Flying Palace” stands as a testament to the ongoing debate over government accountability. In an era where every federal dollar is scrutinized, the image of a $70 million jet with master bedrooms and wet bars being used for “official business” is an image that is unlikely to fade from the public consciousness anytime soon. The question remains: is this a necessary tool for national security, or is it simply a $70 million perk for those at the top?
