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May 22, 2026 - Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote to Fertitta Enterprises seeking information on the ultraluxury jet that was sold to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractor Valkyrie Aviation and later purchased by ICE for at least $70 million. The Administration has claimed the ultraluxury jet would be used for deportation flights, but is currently being used for travel by the First Lady and “select” Trump Administration officials. Fertitta Enterprises and Valkyrie Aviation are linked to individuals with close ties to senior officials in the Trump Administration, including President Trump himself.
“While the American people are struggling to make ends meet, Trump Administration officials are jet-setting in a luxury private jet. Did top officials buy themselves a $70 million plane from connected donors with taxpayer money and lie about its purpose? Oversight Democrats are committed to uncovering the truth and holding this Administration accountable,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
In the letter to Fertitta Enterprises, Ranking Member Garcia wrote, “Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Democrats are investigating potential corruption, self-dealing, and mismanagement at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the leadership of former Secretary Kristi Noem; Corey Lewandowski, her special advisor and shadow chief-of-staff; and other DHS officials. Specifically, I write regarding the ultraluxury Boeing 737 BBJ MAX 8 that Valkyrie Aviation Holdings acquired last year from Fertitta Enterprises and reportedly sold to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for at least $70 million. Valkyrie Aviation and Fertitta Enterprises are linked to individuals with close ties to senior officials in the Trump Administration, including President Trump himself. We ask for your cooperation in this investigation.”
Ranking Member Garcia also wrote, “In September 2025, this specific luxury jet was acquired by Valkyrie Aviation Holdings and operated by Daedalus Aviation for use by DHS officials. Both of these companies are linked to William A. Walters, III, a pro-Noem donor who secured an almost $1 billion DHS contract under suspicious circumstances during then-Secretary Noem and Mr. Lewandowski’s tenure at DHS. The terms of DHS’s leasing arrangement with Mr. Walters’s companies have not been disclosed, nor has the amount Valkyrie paid Fertitta Enterprises for the plane.”
Source: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform-Democrats