A top Republican lawmaker has announced he is working with the Secret Service to investigate the robbery of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem.
While dining with her family at The Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening, a thief made off with Noem’s bag full of personal items and thousands of dollars in cash.
House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., whose panel oversees the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is now looking into the shameless theft he exclusively told DailyMail.com.
‘The Committee is in contact with the Secret Service concerning this brazen theft of Secretary Noem’s belongings this week, and we will continue conducting oversight of the agency to ensure any security lapses are properly and swiftly addressed,’ he shared.
‘The security of our nation’s leaders is a vital part of DHS’ mission, and it must remain a top priority.’
The enhanced oversight comes after it was revealed Monday that a white man wearing a medical mask was able to evade Noem’s Secret Service detail and get his hands on her bag.
Within the bag was roughly $3,000 in cash, Noem’s makeup bag, driver’s license, passport, medication, apartment keys, DHS access badge and some blank checks.
The bag was reportedly with the secretary at her table as she dined with her family. How the man was able to take it without Noem’s Secret Service detail intervening remains to be answered.
DailyMail.com went to the restaurant Monday but employees revealed they were unaware of the high-profile robbery the evening before.
Darden Restaurants, the operator of The Capital Burger, has yet to reply for a request for comment.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told DailyMail.com on Monday that the secretary was carrying the thousands in cash to provide her family, including her grandchildren who were at the dinner, with gifts for Easter.
‘Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren,’ McLaughlin confirmed.
‘She was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,’ the spokesperson added.
DailyMail.com reached out to the Secret Service for more details on the security breach.
The protective agency referred DailyMail.com to McLaughlin’s comment on the matter.
When reached for comment Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department also referred DailyMail.com to DHS.
Noem addressed the matter at the White House on Monday, telling reporters that the matter was still unresolved.
DHS confirmed the Secret Service has launched an investigation into the crime.
The massive security breach comes as Noem has struck a pointed tough-on-crime tone as Homeland Security boss.
She has been pictured donning body armor, carrying assault rifles and posing in front of prisoners at El Salvador’s notorious high-security CECOT prison, where scores of tattooed cartel members are being held.
Noem has also personally attended multiple operations to round up illegal immigrants around the country.
The secretary’s decision to couple the look with lustrous hair and full makeup has resulted in her being branded ‘ICE Barbie.’