WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. Secret Service has launched an investigation after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse was stolen while she dined at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C., on Sunday night.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the theft occurred while Secretary Noem was with her family during an Easter weekend visit to the capital. The suspect reportedly made off with several sensitive and personal items, including Noem’s Department of Homeland Security access badge, her passport, driver’s license, apartment keys, blank checks, medication, a makeup bag, and approximately $3,000 in cash.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed the incident to Scripps News, stating the theft took place at a restaurant in the heart of D.C. The Secretary’s family—including her children and grandchildren was visiting, and the cash was withdrawn to cover meals, activities, and Easter gifts, according to The Independent.
Footage reviewed by investigators shows an unidentified white male taking the handbag, CNN reported. It remains unclear whether Noem was seated at the table at the time the purse was stolen. The Secret Service is actively reviewing security video and other surveillance from the area.
Noem publicly acknowledged the theft and confirmed that the investigation was ongoing during brief remarks to CNN at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. Officials are also investigating whether any of her financial documents, such as the blank checks or ID cards, have been used since the theft.
Secretary Noem joined the Department of Homeland Security in January after serving as governor of South Dakota and previously being floated as a potential running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Her appointment to DHS brought immediate attention, and she has since made headlines for controversial moments, including a March visit to El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison, where she filmed a video message surrounded by shirtless prisoners—a move that drew criticism for its optics and messaging.
Her leadership has also caused internal friction. As The Wall Street Journal reported, some senior DHS officials were concerned after Noem posted details about an ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on social media, fearing it could compromise the operation’s success.
Despite these controversies, Sunday night’s theft brings new scrutiny over personal security protocols for top government officials. The fact that Noem’s DHS access badge and passport were in her purse at a public venue raises questions about the safeguarding of sensitive credentials, especially for a Cabinet-level leader tasked with overseeing border security, immigration enforcement, and counterterrorism.
Authorities have not yet announced any arrests or suspects by name. The Secret Service has said it is treating the incident as a priority and is working with local law enforcement to recover the stolen items and identify the individual responsible.
