Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem in a recent interview recounted her purse being stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant, saying the thief “hooked” it while it was on the floor.
“It was kind of shocking, actually, because it was sitting right by my feet,” Noem told podcast host Vince Coglianese on a Wednesday episode of his “Vince” podcast.
“I actually felt my purse — he hooked it with his foot and drug it a few steps away and dropped a coat over it and took it,” the DHS secretary said.
An official previously confirmed to The Hill’s sister network NewsNation that Noem’s purse, which had $3,000 of cash in it as well as her department access badge, was stolen Sunday at a restaurant in the nation’s capital.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Noem had been eating dinner when a thief stole her purse that also had her passport, driver’s license, blank checks and keys.
McLaughlin also told NewsNation that Noem had been celebrating Easter at the time of the incident.
“She had the cash because her whole family was in town (including children and grandchildren) and was treating them to activities, dinner and Easter gifts,” McLaughlin said.
Noem also said on the podcast that the stolen purse had not been returned.
“I felt it but I thought it was my grandkids kicking me in the legs,” Noem said of the incident, adding later that “it was very professionally done.”
