WASHINGTON — Kristi Noem turned a frightening aviation scare involving her successor into a pointed reminder of her own spending decisions.
The former Department of Homeland Security secretary, often mocked by critics with the nickname “ICE Barbie,” commented after Markwayne Mullin was forced into an emergency landing at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday. His Coast Guard aircraft reportedly came in with only one engine operating, and a fire had been spotted.
“So thankful everyone is safe. 🙏 Guess the Coast Guard did need new planes,” Noem wrote on X in response to the incident.
The remark appeared to nod to one of her own controversial moves while leading DHS: approving $172 million in private aircraft purchases for the department, a decision she framed as necessary after the dangerous landing involving the current secretary.
During her time as secretary, Noem became known for high-profile travel, including a visit to a notorious Salvadoran prison while wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch. She was also frequently seen with Corey Lewandowski, her long-rumored lover.
Their travel habits had already drawn attention after Lewandowski fired a Coast Guard pilot over a forgotten blanket belonging to Noem. The pilot was later brought back when officials realized there was no one else available to fly the group home. Noem had switched aircraft because of a maintenance problem, but her blanket was not transferred to the replacement plane.
Critics online were quick to pounce on Noem’s post. “They need [a] new plane, but not for the reason you wanted new planes,” one user wrote Thursday. “Better luck next time trying to acquire a flying brothel for you and Corey Lewandowski. Dirt bag.”
Under Noem’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security spent $172 million in taxpayer funds on two Gulfstream private jets for the Coast Guard.
Democrats and other critics went to town on Noem over the purchase and what they called her “lavish” lifestyle as secretary, including living in a Coast Guard commander’s home on a DC-area military base. The Coast Guard is under the purview of DHS.
Mullin was on an older plane when the emergency landing was made at Reagan National Airport. Fox News reports that the C101, a C-37A, had been flagged last year for review due to its age.
The C-37A is the military version of a Gulfstream V jet and is routinely used to carry senior DHS officials, including the secretary.
The pilot told air traffic controllers that the plane had lost one of its engines and needed to land immediately.
“We just lost our right engine. We’d like to declare an emergency and [request] immediate landing at DCA,” the pilot radioed to aircraft control.
“We have 14 souls on board and 2.5 hours of fuel,” she said.
Mullin, who was returning from a trip to Georgia, downplayed the incident.
“The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single-engine landing feel routine,” he tweeted.
“No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands.”
He was spotted at the White House later Wednesday night, enjoying dinner in the Rose Garden with President Trump, lawmakers and administration officials.
While still Homeland Security Secretary, Noem defended her purchase as necessary.
“These aircraft are Coast Guard aircraft to replace 25-year-old airplanes that are necessary for the mission of the Coast Guard. Congress appropriated the dollars and paid for them in the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ and we’re grateful that we’re able to move forward,” she said.
The first jet was delivered in January, while the second has not yet arrived at DHS. It’s unclear why Mullin was on an older plane.
Noem, while at DHS, also leased a controversial $70 million jet for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, reportedly to help deport migrants from the US.
However, Noem also used the luxury plane — which featured a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, and four large flat-screen TVs — personally, jetting around the country with Lewandowski.
Trump fired Noem in March, in part because of the drama around her and Lewandowski’s management at DHS and reports of their love affair.
