Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was the victim of a brazen theft Sunday evening when her personal bag, containing $3,000 in cash, was stolen during a family dinner at The Capital Burger, just one mile from the White House. The incident raises new questions about the security protocols in place for high-ranking federal officials.
The theft occurred after Noem, 53, had finished paying for the meal. A source close to the case said she initially believed she had been brushed by one of her grandchildren, only to realize moments later that her Louis Vuitton Clemence Purse—retail price $600—had been taken from beside her table.
The bag contained not only cash but also critical items including Noem’s DHS badge, passport, driver’s license, bank card, healthcare card, medication, and apartment keys. According to a DHS spokesperson, the cash was withdrawn to treat her family—who were in town for Easter—to meals and gifts.
Security footage viewed by the Secret Service reportedly showed a white male suspect in a ball cap and N95 mask scanning the restaurant before stealthily swiping the purse, concealing it under his jacket, and exiting the building. As of Monday afternoon, the suspect remained unidentified, and the Secret Service has launched an active investigation.
The theft happened despite Noem being under Secret Service protection, standard for cabinet-level officials. It remains unclear if her security detail was present in the restaurant at the time of the theft. A Secret Service spokesperson declined to comment.
Noem, who took over as DHS Secretary in January following her tenure as Governor of South Dakota, has made headlines for her tough stance on illegal immigration and support for federal law enforcement operations. Just weeks before the theft, she had toured El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center to warn would-be illegal entrants of the consequences of crossing the border illegally.
This high-profile theft underscores growing concerns about crime in Washington, DC, and raises serious questions about operational security for cabinet members even in central, public venues near federal landmarks.
