US official sparks backlash after making stunning request for taxpayer money: 'Waste, fraud, and abuse'
In a Reddit forum focused on politics, one Redditor drew attention to a controversial request made by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: a $50 million private jet.
Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois expressed outrage about "wasting taxpayer dollars on luxury travel."
According to an article by Military.com, Noem requested a new $50 million long-range Gulfstream jet to replace the private jet she currently uses for travel. It was a last-minute addition to the Coast Guard's 2025 budget proposal.
It is reported that Underwood was horrified. On social media, she posted that "we should be investing in our national security."
Executive chairman of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, recently came under similar scrutiny for his recent purchase of a fourth private jet.
Noem's request seems to be sparking even greater outrage since she is requesting taxpayer dollars to fund her luxury jet.
Private jet travel has a significant impact on the environment. It creates an incredibly high amount of pollution per traveler. The jets typically only transport a few people per flight. Though commercial flights are also huge offenders of creating air pollution, they carry many passengers at once, making private jet travel much more inefficient.
The exact environmental impact varies depending on the distance travelled and type of aircraft, but it is generally accepted that travelling by private jet is one of the least eco-friendly methods of travel. All of this pollution is a huge contributor to the warming of the planet.
Private jet usage has come under increased scrutiny as people become more aware of the negative environmental impact.
Countries like Canada are introducing a luxury tax on private jets and other luxury vehicles like yachts and high-end cars to discourage their purchase, which is viewed by many as frivolous and irresponsible in terms of environmental impact.
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Redditors were outraged about Noem's expensive and seemingly unnecessary request.
"Waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayers' money right here!" said one.
"It's pretty hard to reduce the deficit when there's people like her … wanting [their] own private jets," commented another Redditor.
In reference to sweeping government cuts by DOGE, one commenter asked, "Is this part of saving money?"
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