In Trump’s America, the Powerful Always Fly Above the Rest
The government remains shut down, but its ill effects are rolling on. Indeed, we’re even seeing hubristic signs that Team Trump is reveling in what is chaos for workers and taxpayers who need services.
There’s been a lot of focus on next month’s promised health insurance hikes — the result of a Republican cuts to supports for the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare — but less on equally significant shortages for food stamp programs and for heat subsidies for the winter or the delay in addressing the needs of farmworkers left victimized by a tariff program that has eliminated their foreign markets.
Still, the favored Trump administration programs for random mass roundups of undocumented migrants, expensive sideshows of military might, the turning of government powers to investigate or prosecute Trump political enemies remain on high energy — even with the shutdown. News outlets are detailing Donald Trump’s focus on cutting infrastructure programs that he thinks only hurt Democratic areas.
Amid job worries and service cuts affecting airlines, parks, museums, construction and special ed support, now comes the disclosure that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has purchased two Gulfstream jets using $172 million in Coast Guard money.
It’s not enough that Noem, who has reflected herself as a publicity hound with a lavish lifestyle, needs to show up in camo gear in Chicago and Los Angeles for the public theater of immigration arrests, but apparently, she can’t take the same planes that you and I might use or even use the department’s existing, older Gulfstream jet. The luxury jets are needed for safety, just as kicking the Coast Guard commandant out of the rent-free Washington residence was needed because someone might walk up to her with a critical remark.
The Coast Guard requested $50 million earlier this year for a replacement Gulfstream V jet with “secure, reliable, on-demand communications” to be with her Homeland Security masked, camo-clad troops.
Where’s the Money?
Even if that all is true, why does she need two? Documents reviewed by The New York Times and other news agencies detailed that two “used” G700 jets with the “most spacious cabin in the industry” were contracted for $172 million.
Naturally, in a shutdown, it was not immediately clear where the money comes from, prompting congressional Democrats to demand clarification of the need and source. “The procurement of new luxury jets for your use suggests that the U.S.C.G. (Coast Guard) has been directed to prioritize your own comfort above the U.S.C.G.’s operational needs, even during a government shutdown,” the lawmakers wrote to Noem.
In the budget bills this year, there was $25 billion more for the Coast Guard, including about $2.3 billion for the “procurement and acquisition of rotary-wing aircraft.” Noem said last week that she was tapping some of those funds to ensure that members of the Coast Guard did not miss a paycheck during the shutdown. Noem insists on personally approving any expense over $100,000.
A Homeland Security spokesman said Noem had paid “tens of thousands of dollars” to reimburse the government for personal travel on the jet after the publication of the Post story.
Trump at Ease
Despite the reported bumps and ill effects to Americans, several news articles are reflecting Trump’s apparent ease with a continuing shutdown. The programs he wants are continuing uninterrupted, justified as “emergencies,” and his budget director, Russell Vought, has grabbed power to summarily shut programs that Trump doesn’t like without the burden of dealing with Congress.
Indeed, the House has not met for a month now, with no opening in sight.
In California, a military artillery demonstration to “celebrate” a Marine Corps birthday overseen by Vice President JD Vance sent shells over Interstate 5, resulting in closing north-south highway for hours. How exactly this helps the U.S. through the trials of shutdown is a head-scratcher.
Meanwhile, federal workers are caught in furloughs, dismissals which may be illegal, and personal uncertainty. American individuals and businesses trying to get tax forms, passports or the normal approvals needed from government are thwarted.
Even the courts, to whom one might consider turning for redress, are closing for lack of money. From a White House perspective, that well be a benefit not a problem.
Ironically, millions took to the streets this weekend to protest the emerging monarchy in America just as Team Trump is showing off its need for regal authoritarianism. Two luxury jets for the Homeland Security secretary to show up in camouflage for the arrests by armed agents of migrants that have mistakenly targeted citizens seems like two too many.
✊ Take Action: Tell Washington to Ground Kristi Noem’s Luxury Jet Spending
Taxpayer dollars should fund essential services — not $172 million in luxury jets for political show. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s misuse of Coast Guard funds during a government shutdown demands oversight and accountability.
Here’s how you can make your voice heard:
✅ Contact your Members of Congress — Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your senators and representative. Tell them to demand an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security’s aircraft purchases.
✅ Write to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability — Email or tag @GOPoversight and @OversightDems on social media urging public hearings into the diversion of Coast Guard funds.
✅ Reach out to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — Ask them to review how shutdown funds are being spent on luxury travel rather than worker pay or essential services.
✅ Share this story — The more people who know, the harder it is for Washington to look away. Post the link on your social channels with the tag #GroundTheJets.
💬 Your voice matters. Demand that public money serve the public — not the powerful.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO CONFRONT THE TRUE WASTE AND FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT.
