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The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing criticism from Democrats in Congress for purchasing two Gulfstream G700 jets worth $172 million during the ongoing government shutdown. The DHS, through the US Coast Guard (USCG), signed a sole-source contract with Gulfstream on October 17, 2025. Responding to criticism from Democrats in Congress, the US Coast Guard defended the decision, explaining that the new aircraft will replace “planes that were as much as 20 years old and experiencing several unplanned maintenance issues.” The aircraft are intended for use by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top officials. New Jets On Order Amid Government Shutdown The decision to purchase two new Gulfstream G700s has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the DHS is spending nearly $200 million on “top-of-the-line luxury” jets in the midst of a government shutdown, raising doubts about the need for such a costly acquisition. It is worth noting that while the two jets are valued at $172 million, the total cost of the contract could rise to $200 million when support services and configuration requirements are included. According to the department, the shutdown will not halt the jet replacement process, yet Democrats want details on where the money will come from. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Department of Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lauren Underwood have requested additional information from Secretary Noem regarding the purchase, stating that it does not align with the Department’s previous funding requests, according to a statement on October 18, 2025. In a letter to Secretary Noem, the lawmakers wrote that the contract directly contradicts the Coast Guard’s stated strategy for its Long Range Command and Control Aircraft (LRCCA) program, as previously detailed to Congress in May and September. Critics added the move continues a pattern of self-interest under Noem’s leadership. Commenting on the purchase, Underwood said: “Based on the Department’s public statement that you personally sign off on all DHS contracts that exceed $100,000 in value, and prior solicitations indicating that you are a primary user of these aircraft, we assume that you are involved in the approval of this contract.” Replacing Older Gulfstream G550s The USCG defended its contract with Gulfstream for two G700s, stating that the jets are intended to replace its aging Gulfstream CG-101 G550 aircraft as part of the LRCCA program. According to the USCG, since January 2025, its long-range command and control aircraft have experienced 30 days of unplanned maintenance, resulting in six missions being unexpectedly canceled. Active Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday stated that “the timing of this investment underscores the Coast Guard’s vital need to modernize its command and control capabilities to meet today’s rapidly evolving operational demands.” According to the statement, robust command and control systems, including top secret and secure compartmented information communications, are essential for senior leaders to coordinate multi-agency operations across a vast international area of responsibility. According to a DHS statement released in May 2025, one of the US Coast Guard’s two aircraft is 22 years old and suffers from outdated avionics and communications systems. As a result, the statement says that the USCG and its leadership, including the DHS Secretary, require advanced and reliable command and control capabilities to operate effectively. More About Gulsftream Jets Gulfstream, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, is a US-based business jet manufacturer founded in 1958. The G700 aircraft, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracted for, was unveiled in October 2019 and completed its first flight in 2020. After several years of development, it received Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA) certification in March 2024. The G700 is capable of flying up to 7,750 nautical miles (14,353 km) and can accommodate up to 19 passengers, depending on configuration. It can also sleep as many as 13 passengers and can be divided into a maximum of five living areas. Until August 2025, the G700 was the newest model in Gulfstream’s long-range jet lineup. However, the company has since introduced the G800, a longer-range variant.
