A recent theft involving Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is drawing attention not only for its security implications but also because of the amount of cash she had on her.
Noem’s purse was stolen from a Washington, D.C., restaurant on Sunday, and it contained approximately $3,000 in cash—a detail that quickly sparked public scrutiny. The Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek that she had the cash because she was treating her family to “dinner, activities and Easter gifts.”
Why It Matters
Surveillance footage reviewed by the Secret Service showed “an unknown white male wearing a medical mask” stealing Noem’s bag and exiting the restaurant, according to CNN. The stolen items also included her driver’s license, apartment keys and DHS access badge.
The revelation that Noem was carrying $3,000 in cash has prompted renewed public interest in Noem’s personal finances and lifestyle, especially given her status as a federal official and former South Dakota governor.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives for a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives for a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
What To Know
Kristi Noem’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million as of early 2025, according to a financial disclosure reviewed by Newsweek.
This includes farmland, a home in South Dakota, and investment holdings. Her annual salary as DHS secretary is $250,600, a notable increase from her previous salary of approximately $122,000 as governor.
Federal ethics filings from August 2024 show Noem’s assets include agricultural interests and multiple bank accounts.
The disclosure notes property in Castlewood, South Dakota, listed in the range of $250,001 to $500,000. While the disclosure calls this property pastureland, Noem has referred to it as her home.
The DHS secretary and her husband, Bryon Noem, have a 15-year mortgage on their home at between $100,001 and $250,000 at a 1.875 percent annual interest rate.
Her other assets include cash savings of $265,000 at the time of the disclosure, along with livestock and equipment of up to $100,000.
Noem having $3,000 in cash in her purse sparked some questions. X user Angry Staffer, who has over 540,000 followers on the platform, questioned why she had that large sum money and Chris Rilling, former NOAA division director, called her an “elite” for having that amount of money on hand.
What People Are Saying
American Immigration Council Senior Fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick on X, formerly Twitter: “Last week, @DHSgov and Secretary Noem’s staff suggested that because Mr. Abrego Garcia had $1,100 in cash on him when arrested outside Home Depot seeking day labor, that was strong evidence that he was a member of MS-13. I guess that raises a similar question about her $3,000.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “The net worth of politicians on both sides of the political aisle has been getting attention recently, as some Americans see the disconnect between those in Washington for public service being worth millions of dollars. Noem’s net worth is actually not as eye-popping as some of her contemporaries, especially when you consider a decade as a representative and then governor. At the same point, speculation of her bag being stolen with $3,000 inside does fuel the fire of that disconnect.”
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “Although $3,000 may seem like a lot of cash to have on your person, I will not submit judgement as to why she had that amount of money on her at that time. There can be an infinite number of reasons, but this just goes to show that many of our elected members cannot relate to their own constituents.”
What Happens Next
The Secret Service continues to investigate the theft and is reviewing surveillance footage, according to CNN. As of Monday, the incident remains unresolved, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
“The vast majority of Americans don’t even have that amount saved for an emergency, let alone to be casually walking around with,” Beene said. “And while I’m sure it’s not as much of a security concern to have that amount on you in her sparsely populated home state, it’s not the best choice in D.C.”
