U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem`s purse was stolen during an Easter Sunday dinner with her family at a Washington, D.C., restaurant. The bag contained approximately $3,000 in cash, her DHS access badge, passport, driver`s license, apartment keys, prescription medication, blank cheques, and personal items, reports AP.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the cash was intended for family Easter celebrations, including dinners and gifts. Despite being under Secret Service protection, surveillance footage reportedly shows a white male suspect wearing a medical mask stealing the bag and leaving the restaurant.
Noem, 53, a prominent figure in the Trump administration known for her strict immigration policies, has not publicly commented on the incident. The Secret Service is investigating, but no arrests have been made.
This theft raises questions about the security protocols surrounding high-ranking officials and the handling of sensitive materials. Critics have pointed out the irony of the Homeland Security Secretary falling victim to such a theft.
Podcast host Brian Allen on X: "Yes, the woman in charge of protecting the nation... couldn`t protect her purse."
As the investigation continues, the incident underscores the importance of stringent security measures, even for those tasked with national protection.
In March, the Associated Press revealed that Kristi Noem, while serving as South Dakota governor, charged over $150,000 in personal and political travel expenses to the state. The spending came to light after a 2024 lawsuit by The Dakota Scout demanded transparency over her state-issued credit card use.
