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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the planes were missing power plants.

This strange anecdote was contained in a investigation published on Friday, which described how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair planned to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man holding infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative told the Journal that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but refused to provide additional clarification.

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

In the autumn, it was revealed that the government was transporting individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before removal.