Jun 4, 2025
You can’t track cash — so if someone takes it, you’re out of luck.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that on Sunday, April 20, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen.
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She was dining with her family at a popular downtown Washington restaurant called The Capital Burger when the theft happened.
What happened, exactly?
CNN, one of the first news outlets to report the story, said that her purse contained Noem’s medication, driver’s license, passport, apartment keys, makeup bag, $3,000 in cash, blank checks and her DHS access badge.
Noem herself noticed the purse was missing — it wasn’t spotted by her Secret Service detail.
Since then, the Secret Service has reviewed security footage to determine what happened.
According to NBC News, a man wearing an N95 mask entered the restaurant around 7:55 p.m. ET and approached the area where Noem was dining.
He moved his chair closer to hers, then slid his foot toward her purse, dragging it back to him. Within minutes, he had tucked the bag under his jacket and walked out.
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NBC also reported that a witness said the restaurant wasn’t busy at the time, and at least two plainclothes Secret Service agents were on duty. They were seated between the front doors and the bar where Noem was sitting.
“Her entire family was in town, including her children and grandchildren — she was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities and Easter gifts,” a DHS spokesperson said.
Jonathan Wackrow, a CNN law enforcement analyst and former Secret Service agent, told CNN the incident may point to a lapse in security.
“This is a security breach that actually has high consequences, and it needs immediate and further review,” he said, adding that the Homeland Security Secretary is “at higher risk for targeted threats, both by foreign and domestic actors.”
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Why did she have so much cash?
Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, confirmed Noem had withdrawn the cash to treat her visiting family during the Easter holiday.
There is no conclusive evidence that Noem was deliberately targeted, nor do investigators know whether the thief was aware of whose purse it was.
What can we learn from this incident
Noem’s unfortunate experience is a reminder of the importance of safeguarding your valuables. While theft can’t always be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and potential losses.
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First, avoid carrying around large sums of cash. As mentioned earlier, cash is untraceable, and once it’s gone, it’s nearly impossible to recover — especially if it’s spent before the thief is caught.
Carrying around blank checks is also risky. A thief could forge your signature and withdraw money from your account.
While state and federal laws may protect you in cases of check fraud, your bank might help recover stolen funds from a written check, blank checks generally don’t carry the same protections.
Whatever you carry in your wallet or purse, always stay aware of your surroundings. Even at social gatherings, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings. Simply holding onto your purse rather than placing it on the floor makes it less accessible to potential thieves.
If your purse or wallet is stolen, report the theft immediately and list everything that was inside. Cancel all credit and debit cards, report stolen IDs and freeze your bank accounts if possible.
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Sarah Li-Cain, AFC is a finance and small business writer with over a decade of experience.
