Kristi Noem’s purse containing DHS badge, $3K in cash stolen...

px_eliezer_ · 2025-04-21T19:33:59+00:00

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse, containing $3,000 in cash and her DHS access badge, was stolen Sunday night at a restaurant in downtown Washington, an official confirmed to NewsNation. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NewsNation’s Ali Bradley that Noem was eating dinner when a thief stole the purse, which also contained Noem’s passport, her driver’s license, blank checks and her keys. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5258857-dhs-secretary-noem-purse-stolen/ POSTED SOLELY AS A SECURITY STORY, NOT P0LITICS.

Fuggleman

Did she have secret service protection or any security protection at all?

Andyross

Someone of that high profile with that much sensitive stuff not secure? And $3000 in cash?

vaxvms

Yeah, $3,000 in cash? Who uses cash anymore for legal transactions?

Guy54435

vaxvms I use cash all the time especially at stores and gas stations that I don’t normally go to or if I am traveling.

HELLFIRE

A Federal Employee Taking Your Security. Seriously.

/sarcasm

I HOPE SOP was immediately enacted after loss of the badge… again, keeping this within a SECURITY POV.

Regards

Astyanax

vaxvms Yeah, $3,000 in cash? Who uses cash anymore for legal transactions?

Those who want privacy. For someone in her position every card transaction is a record some future political hack could ask stupid questions about and spin some way against her or the administration regardless of how legit it may truly be.

px_eliezer_

Astyanax

That’s a cogent point.

HELLFIRE

HELLFIRE I HOPE SOP was immediately enacted after loss of the badge…

…forgot to add : I HOPE the loss of the badge was reported in a timely manner, commensurate with how important it is to the role and responsibility of the holder…

Regards

egeezer

I wonder if she was one of those careless people who hang their purses on their chairs in restaurants and cafes.

It’s so easy for a thief to walk by the back of the chair and lift the purse without anyone noticing.

Here are some tips on the subject, but I’m sure this is old news to security conscious people and security professionals;
https://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/safety-tips/purse-theft-how-purse-thieves-work/

Astyanax

egeezer I wonder if she was one of those careless people who hang their purses on their chairs in restaurants and cafes.

It’s so easy for a thief to walk by the back of the chair and lift the purse without anyone noticing.

Even if she were, she’s the head of all the civilian security services of the federal government which includes the agency that runs her own security detail that’s supposed to protect her and her family 24/7. I’d cut her some slack for being one of those supposedly “careless” people. Not so much for the particular guards that were with her that day.

egeezer

Astyanax she’s the head of all the civilian security services of the federal government

Based on her job and lack of awareness in a common situation, that’s an unsettling thought.

broknsymetry

Sneaky Feet Pete…

The man who allegedly stole a Gucci bag loaded with cash from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was sitting at the table next to hers, according to video of Sunday’s incident reviewed by Secret Service investigators.

The surveillance footage of the incident at The Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, DC, showed the suspect purposefully moving close to Noem as he zeroed in on her Gucci bag near her feet, a law enforcement source said.

The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away, the source said. He surveyed the restaurant before eventually picking up the bag, covering it with his jacket and leaving.

Sources describe how Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci bag was stolen from under her chair

Sparkchaser

egeezer Based on her job and lack of awareness in a common situation, that’s an unsettling thought.

Seems like a lot of that going on. 😟

egeezer

broknsymetry The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away,

That’s a classic technique as described in the link I posted. When my lovely bride carries her purse, it stays with her. If it goes on the floor, it’s between her feet with zippers closed and her foot through the strap. Otherwise it’s on her lap. And, she doesn’t carry her passport unless traveling where she needs it. We have passport holders with straps that allow us to suspend it under our clothing where it’s secured from snatchers and pickpockets.

Kick the Purse

Sometimes when a woman sits down at a table or bar she will put her purse down on the floor. This theft method is where the thief gets close to the victim and kicks the purse out of her view so it can be easily taken without her knowledge.

HELLFIRE

broknsymetry The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away, the source said.

egeezer That’s a classic technique as described in the link I posted.

…so that an “Oooops,” “Awww S**T!,” or something else moment? Asking for a friend… 🙄 🙄

Regards

egeezer

HELLFIRE so that an “Oooops,” “Awww S**T!,” or something else moment? Asking for a friend… 🙄 🙄

I’d surmise that it was a faulty assumption of security.

vaxvms

Burgers at The Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, DC are $30. Add drinks, appetizers, sides, maybe dessert, tip. She may have needed the $3,000 cash to pick up the tab for the table. :-) :-) :-)

antdude

Guy54435 I use cash all the time especially at stores and gas stations that I don’t normally go to or if I am traveling.

So do I, but carrying $3K?!

HardlyWorthit

antdude So do I, but carrying $3K?!

“chump change”

telcodad

Guy54435 I use cash all the time especially at stores and gas stations that I don’t normally go to or if I am traveling.

I use cash at gas stations (and avoid the up-to-10 cents/gallon charge) and for most transactions of $20 or less.

Otherwise, my main credit card has a cash-back bonus, so why not make a little money while spending it? 😉

Unfortunately though, more and more places are adding on a “credit card” fee (or a “cash discount”) now, so then I try to pay cash then, too.