Heart & Soul Conversation #4 Life Goes On and Crocus

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was roundly mocked by political analysts and observers on Wednesday after it was revealed that her agency is spending $140 million to buy new airplanes for its deportation operations.

The Washington Post first reported on Wednesday that DHS has signed a $140 million contract with a company called Daedalus Aviation, which was formed in August 2024, to purchase six Boeing 737 airplanes that a Trump administration official told the outlet will allow immigration agents to "operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns."

Daedalus Aviation appears to have been created by a pair of executives from a company that already has a nearly $1 billion contract with DHS, according to the report.

Political analysts and observers shared their reactions on social media.

"You can’t afford healthcare — and DHS is buying itself a fleet of 737s with your money," the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats posted on X. "Were 2 private Gulfstream jets not enough for Kristi?"

"DHS is spending $140 million dollars on 6 Boeing 737 planes so they can have their own 'deportation fleet.' F Boeing," independent journalist Karly Kingsley posted on X.

"DHS is now for the first time buying its own deportation planes," journalist Katya Schwenk posted on X. "ICE already uses air charter companies for deportation flights, which is cheaper than maintaining a fleet; imo, this is about making it more difficult to scale back the agency in the long run."

"Your tax dollars at evil. Evil in your name," author Jeff Jarvis posted on X.

Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was put in the awkward position of apologizing to U.S. military veterans whose lives have been turned upside down, after a Democratic lawmaker who came armed to the teeth with tales of ICE immigrant overreach.

During questioning before the House Homeland Security Committee, the embattled Noem, who is reportedly on the way out at DHS, was confronted by Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) who followed up her claim, “We have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans,” by asking, “I don't believe you served in the military. I haven't either, but I think you and I can agree that, as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that?”

She answered, “I believe that people that are in this United States that are citizens have legal status here.”

Magaziner then offered up a Purple Heart veteran who is now living in South Korea due to ICE, and who appeared at the hearing via Zoom, before directing her attention to veteran Jim Brown, who was in the audience and whose wife, a native of Ireland, has been jailed by DHS for four months as she awaits deportation.

In an interview with the Guardian, Brown gained national attention for confessing, “... he ‘100%”’regretted voting for Donald Trump as president.”

“Madam Secretary, the man behind you, please stand up, sir, his name is Jim Brown from Troy, Missouri," Magaziner began. “He is a Navy combat veteran who served our country in the Gulf War. He's married to a woman named Donna who came to our country legally from Ireland when she was 11 years old. She has lived here for 48 years. Because of you. Jim's wife, Donna, has been in prison for the last four months. She did not come here illegally and she has never committed any crime other than writing two bad checks totaling $80.10 years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation.”

“Miss Noem, will you thank Mr. Brown for his service to our country?” he asked.

Noem turned in her seat to the right and murmured to the standing veteran, "Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service to our country.”

"Now, what possible explanation can there be for locking up his wife for four months when she has committed no crime, other than writing a couple of bad checks for $80?” the Democratic lawmaker pressed.

“Sir, it is not my prerogative, my attitude or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country get enforced,” she demurred.

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