Hold onto your hats, folks -- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is under fire for dropping over $170 million on shiny new jets while the government grinds to a halt in a shutdown, as The Hill reports.

The controversy centers on a Department of Homeland Security contract for new U.S. Coast Guard jets, including one for Noem’s personal travel, sparking outrage among congressional Democrats over the cost, timing, and priorities of the deal.

Let’s rewind to May, when Congress tucked a last-minute funding approval into appropriations for a new plane, initially pegged at $50 million.

Noem defends costly purchase

Fast forward, and the price tag has ballooned to over $170 million, with a contract inked during a government shutdown no less.

Noem stepped up on Monday to defend the expenditure, arguing that it’s simply a matter of replacing outdated Coast Guard aircraft critical to the agency's mission.

Her exact words? “These aircraft are Coast Guard aircraft to replace 25-year-old airplanes that are necessary for the mission of the Coast Guard,” Noem said, adding that Congress already footed the bill in a “big, beautiful bill.” Well, beautiful or not, that bill’s looking pretty pricey to some.

Democrats slam timing, priorities

Congressional Democrats aren’t buying it, slamming the timing of the deal as tone-deaf while federal workers go unpaid.

House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) fired off a letter on Sunday demanding answers about the sole-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace for two G700 luxury jets.

They didn’t mince words, accusing Noem of putting her own travel needs above those of Coast Guard servicemembers who safeguard the nation.

Luxury jets or essential needs

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined the chorus, taking to X to point out that the hefty sum could cover paychecks for TSA agents and air traffic controllers instead.

“The more than $170 million Sec. Noem is using to buy jets for her luxury travel would help fund a lot of pay checks for TSA & air traffic controllers,” Blumenthal posted. That’s a fair jab—shouldn’t essential workers get first dibs over high-flying perks?

Blumenthal doubled down, urging Noem to focus on paying dedicated public servants rather than prioritizing personal comfort. It’s hard not to wonder if a little less luxury and a little more pragmatism might calm the waters here.

Questions of neccessity linger

Adding fuel to the fire, DeLauro and Underwood’s letter highlighted Noem’s use of Coast Guard housing -- typically reserved for the commandant -- after reported death threats, suggesting a pattern of self-prioritization.

While safety concerns are valid, the optics of snapping up multimillion-dollar jets during a shutdown, when many federal employees are scraping by, couldn’t be worse. If the Coast Guard truly needs updated aircraft, surely there’s a less extravagant way to make it happen.

At the end of the day, Noem’s defense hinges on the argument that Congress already approved the funds, and she’s just following through. But with Democrats pressing for transparency and taxpayers footing a bill that’s quadrupled the original ask, this story is far from over. Let’s hope the mission -- and not just the mileage -- truly justifies the cost.