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White House keeping Kristi Noem's $70M luxury jet, report says

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Published  April 12, 2026 2:18pm CDT
Politics
FOX Local
ANALYSIS: Kristi Noem out as DHS Sec.

ANALYSIS: Kristi Noem out as DHS Sec.

Kristi Noem is being removed from her position as head of DHS and Secretary of Homeland Security in President Trump's cabinet, with Markwayne Mullin being suggested to replace her before being confirmed. 

The Brief

    • A $70 million luxury jet that critics used to highlight Kristi Noem’s wasteful spending will be kept by the White House, despite her departure from the administration, The Wall Street Journal reports.
    • The plane, which was used for Noem’s personal travel as homeland security secretary, includes a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs and a bar.
    • The plane reportedly will be used by some cabinet secretaries, as well as First Lady Melania Trump’s office.

The Trump administration will reportedly keep the controversial $70 million jet Kristi Noem was leasing for personal travel before she was fired as homeland security secretary in March, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

The plane, which includes a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs and a bar, was used by critics to highlight how Noem spent taxpayer dollars during her rocky tenure at DHS. Here’s what we know: 

White House to use Noem’s luxury jet

The backstory:

When questioned by Congress, Noem claimed the luxury jet was purchased for ICE deportations and that it was required by law. She also said she had only flown on it once, but The Journal reports that it was used by Noem and top aide Corey Lewandowski. Democrats and some Republicans questioned why ICE flights would need bedrooms and bars. She was fired by President Donald Trump the next day.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testifies during the House Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security," in Rayburn building on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

What we know:

ICE was reportedly handling the jet’s purchase, and they thought it wouldn’t move forward after Noem was ousted. The White House, however, decided to keep it and removed it from DHS control. 

RELATED: Kristi Noem, Trump respond to shocking cross-dressing photos tied to her husband

The plane will be used by some cabinet secretaries, as well as First Lady Melania Trump’s office. 

What we don't know:

The White House deferred to DHS for comment on the plane. 

Noem’s lavish spending

TENSE MOMENT: Noem grilled by Rep. Ross

TENSE MOMENT: Noem grilled by Rep. Ross

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) yelled at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a hearing in Washington, D.C. on March 4.

Dig deeper:

Congress infused Noem’s department with $170 billion, sparking questions over where and how it was spent while she was leading DHS. 

In addition to the luxury jet, she was criticized for a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem that encouraged people in the country illegally to leave voluntarily. Included in that $220 million was a $60,000 signing bonus for the subcontractor, $20,000 on horse rentals and nearly $4,000 on hair and makeup services. 

RELATED: Report: Dems say Noem spent thousands of taxpayer money on horse, hair and makeup in Mount Rushmore ad

Democrats have questioned whether contracts she signed off on went through a competitive bidding process and whether Noem’s associates unfairly benefited from the process.

Noem also came under blistering criticism from Democrats — and a few Republicans — over allegations that under her authority, immigration officers abused the rights of immigrants and American citizens and used excessive force. 

Former Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, was named as her replacement. Noem now serves as "special envoy for the Shield of the Americas."

The Source: This article includes information from The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.

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