Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is finally opening up about what happened on the fateful night a thief nabbed her designer purse from a D.C. restaurant.
Noem said she was busy taking care of her grandchildren when she felt something brush against her leg. She thought it was one of the kids, accidentally kicking her.
“It was kind of shocking, actually, because it was sitting right by my feet… he hooked it with his foot and dragged it a few steps away and dropped a coat over it and took it,” Noem recalled on The Vince Show podcast with Vince Coglianese.
A man with a medical mask snatched Noem’s Gucci handbag, which contained $3,000, her DHS access card, her Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet, passport, apartment key, and makeup bag of course—which she likely never leaves home without.
Noem, who is in charge of the nation’s security and has round-the-clock security detail, defended her lack of awareness during the ordeal, saying the theft was “professionally done.”
“I think I was a busy grandma with four grandkids under the age of 4, and I was taking care of them and feeding them food and enjoying my family, yeah, but certainly had my purse even touching my feet,” she said in her own defense.
The Secret Service is investigating the incident, which happened Sunday night at upscale pub-style spot Capital Burger. Noem was dining with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The theft raises more questions about the Secret Service’s aptitude, which has been under intense scrutiny after a gunman attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump last summer. It is unclear how the thief was able to get so close to Noem and walk out without any agents intervening.
Noem was carrying cash to treat her children and grandchildren to Easter festivities and dinner.
Noem added on the podcast that the stolen purse has yet to be returned.
“It tells me that this happens all the time to people, and that they live in communities where this is a danger,” she admitted.
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