Kristi Noem reveals her purse with $3K cash was stolen from DC restaurant
WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had her purse stolen while dining at a downtown Washington, DC restaurant on Sunday night, April 20.
According to The Guardian, the stolen bag contained $3,000 in cash, her passport, driver’s license, apartment keys, makeup, blank checks, and medication.
Noem revealed the incident to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, noting that the case remains unresolved.
Who stole Kristi Noem's purse?
According to reports obtained by CNN, Secret Service agents assigned to protect Kristi Noem reviewed surveillance footage from the Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, where her purse was stolen.
The video reportedly shows an unidentified white male wearing a medical mask stealing Noem’s bag before quickly exiting the premises.
The Secret Service has launched a full investigation to track any potential use of Noem’s financial assets, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed.
“Her entire family was in town, including her children and grandchildren – she was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,” said Jonathan Wackrow, a CNN law enforcement analyst.
Wackrow called the incident a serious breach in security with potentially significant consequences. “This is a security breach that actually has high consequences, and it needs immediate and further review by the Secret Service and DHS, and other law enforcement partners,” he said, adding, “If necessary, the Secret Service will need to make operational changes on how they deal with these types of private events moving forward.”
He also emphasized that Noem remains at "higher risk for targeted threats, both by foreign and domestic actors, and just her public profile alone makes her a symbolic target.”
Kristi Noem remains tight-lipped on purse theft as Secret Service presence raises questions
When asked about the theft on Monday, Kristi Noem declined to offer details, telling reporters, “I don’t think I can comment on it yet. It’s not resolved yet.”
Notably, Noem, who leads the department responsible for protecting the nation's borders and homeland, is under the protection of the US Secret Service.
According to NBC News, a witness at the scene reported that “at least two on-duty plainclothes members of the US Secret Service” were present, seated at the restaurant’s bar during the incident.
The Secret Service, along with FEMA and the Coast Guard, operates under the Department of Homeland Security.
While it's still unclear whether Noem was specifically targeted or if the theft was a random crime, the incident has sparked concern due to her prominent role in the Trump administration, particularly as the official overseeing the president’s mass deportation agenda.
Kristi Noem leaves Internet questioning why she was carrying $3,000 in cash
After news of Kristi Noem's purse theft broke online, numerous Facebook users flocked to the comment sections, reacting to the incident and mocking her with jokes.
One user wrote, "Wait..the Director of Homeland Security can’t even secure her own purse? That makes me feel so safe!"
A second user mocked, "Who would carry 3k cash on their person!"
One commenter suspected, "Why carry that much cash? Sounds like someone knee it was in there."
Another said, "There was actually $3.00 in the purse 👛. Trying to get sympathy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤭"
Someone else asked, "Why was she carrying $3000 in cash in the age of contactless payments everywhere, instant transfers via Venmo and Zelle?"
Another user wrote, "Why is she carrying $3000 cash in her purse? She planning on making a buy??"
This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
