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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE confronting fierce backlash after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the DHS.

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

The legislature had earlier authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was reported that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information examined from charter airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.