It's a mystery why he held Washington.
On Sunday night, Homeland Security Director Christie Noem was eating downtown at a Capital Burger with her family as the burglar snatched her wallet from under her chair.
The perpetrator scored. Big Time: The bag included Noem's driver's license, medication, apartment key, blank checks, department badge, passport and $3,000 in cash.
The Capital Burger Caper was made for Capital Firth. It is accused of patroling borders and protecting them from terrorist threats, and is packed into a clear perspective on security details. What happened to Noem, who was only added to the drama, among all Cabinet officials.
Noem stands out in management filled with ready-to-play characters for TV. Last year she attracted attention by writing in her autobiography about shooting a dog that proved “untrained” and “dangerous.” Recently, he made headlines for wearing a $50,000 Gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Watch while touring El Salvador's infamous prison. In photos and videos she posted in her role as Homeland Security Secretary, she wears tactical gear, wears a gun and accompany border agents on a mission to NAB immigration. Even some of President Trump's allies have characterized much of her actions as more than a stunt.
The robbery was common knowledge among lunchtime crowds this week at Capital Burger, a pub in the shadow of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The menu is like a place with giant pretzels and “Campao” Brussels sprouts.
“That's a little weird,” said 28-year-old John Luck. “I don't know why someone has so much money for them.”
On Thursday, the restaurant was packed with people attending meetings mainly across the street. One was the World Vaccine Conference, which billed itself as “the world's largest vaccine event.” It brought together many scientific experts from various European countries. Another meeting was the IAPP Global Privacy Summit, a gathering for thousands of technical security professionals.
Many people looked at the headlines and knew they were eating at famous crime scenes. The security conference crowds didn't seem as amusing as the Europeans.
“I think it's very interesting,” said Nico Pilhenen, 29, a researcher from Helsinki. He had been eating at Capital Burger for three days in a row. “From a Finnish perspective, that's odd,” he added.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Noem had withdrawn her cash to spend time in town on holiday.
“I don't think anyone living in DC has great insight into why ranchers carry physical money to their credit cards,” McLaughlin told a New York Times reporter. She refused to explain further.
Other mysteries about the burger co-episode persist.
How accurately could the burglar be able to separate him with Noem's security details?
One law enforcement officer, well-versed in what happened, said that there were several agents assigned to Noem, who was in the restaurant that day, but they were hanging more than 20 feet away, and wanted to give them space to enjoy Easter Sunday with their family. The agent kept a clear view of Noem, but it appears he couldn't see everything going on around the table. Or, more specifically, under the table.
The thief was at a nearby table and didn't have to approach the Homeland Security Chief to hook his bag. As a spokesman for Noem said, “Her bag was under her feet, and the assailant hooked the bag with his feet, dragged it to the floor, and placed his coat on it and took it.”
The Secret Service is leading the investigation until she can rule out the robbers targeting Noem because she is the Secretary of Homeland Security.
“It's as embarrassing as hell,” said Ronald Leighton, a 26-year veteran of the Secret Service. Still, he wasn't completely shocked that it had happened. “In my experience, parents sometimes want more intimate moments with their families,” he said. “They may not want to see agents hover over their shoulders, especially in restaurants.”
A waiter at Capital Burger on Thursday said he was nervously attacked when asked about the crime but was instructed not to talk to news media. The call to the restaurant management was not answered. The customers were not that careful.
He said he heard about the Secretary of Homeland Security, who was eating lunch wearing suede loafers. The incident said it happened in the very restaurant where he sipped Sauvignon Blanc now, and laughed loudly.
So did the men from London and two women from Paris.
Some tables reveal four American women who had come to Washington for a security meeting were confused by the entire scenario. They say they still don't understand why Noem is carrying so much money around, why she made herself vulnerable, and why the agent didn't see the burglars moving around.
One of the women then picked up the bag from the floor and grabbed it dramatically into her chest. Others began to laugh.
