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

This bizarre anecdote was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the official and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst 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 support travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but declined to provide additional clarification.

Congress had earlier approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration-related and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was revealed that the administration was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.

Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.