Monday, April 21, 2025

Kristi Noem’s Capital Burger Blunder: DHS Diva’s Purse Plucked in Pickle-Powered Pilfering

 

Kristi Noem


Thief Swipes $3,000, Badge, and Kristi’s Crime-Busting Mojo Mid-Milkshake at Capital Burger











Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Purse Stolen from D.C. Restaurant

Thief Snags $3,000 Cash, Sensitive Documents in Bold Heist at Capital Burger
On the evening of Sunday, April 20, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem became the victim of a brazen theft while dining at the Capital Burger restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. The incident, which saw a thief make off with Noem’s purse containing approximately $3,000 in cash and several sensitive items, has sparked questions about personal security, situational awareness, and the safety of high-profile officials in the nation’s capital. The Secret Service, responsible for Noem’s protection, is actively investigating the theft, which was captured on security footage.
The Incident: A Quick and Calculated Theft
According to multiple reports, Noem was dining with her family at the Capital Burger when the theft occurred. A law enforcement source revealed that security camera footage showed an unknown white male wearing a medical mask swiftly stealing Noem’s purse before exiting the restaurant. The suspect’s use of a mask has complicated identification efforts, and no additional details about his identity have been released as of April 21, 2025.
Noem initially mistook the theft for her grandchild brushing against her leg, only realizing moments later that her purse was gone, according to a person familiar with the incident. This brief distraction underscores the thief’s opportunism, as the act took place in close proximity to Noem’s Secret Service detail, raising questions about the effectiveness of her security at that moment.
The stolen purse contained a trove of valuable and sensitive items, including:
  • Approximately $3,000 in cash
  • Noem’s passport
  • Driver’s license
  • DHS access badge
  • Apartment keys
  • Prescription medication
  • Makeup bag
  • Blank checks
The DHS explained that Noem was carrying the large sum of cash to treat her family, including her children and grandchildren, to dinner, Easter activities, and gifts, as they were all in town for the holiday weekend. While this explanation has been widely reported, it has also drawn scrutiny, with some questioning the wisdom of carrying such a significant amount of cash and sensitive documents in a public setting.
The Aftermath: Investigation and Public Reaction
The Secret Service has launched an investigation, focusing on tracing any use of Noem’s financial instruments, such as the blank checks, and reviewing additional evidence to identify the suspect. The theft of a DHS access badge is particularly concerning, as it could potentially compromise security at DHS facilities, though no reports have indicated misuse of the badge thus far.
Noem publicly acknowledged the incident on Monday, April 21, 2025, during an appearance at the White House Easter Egg Roll. She noted that the matter remains unresolved, but she refrained from providing further details, deferring to the ongoing investigation.

Public reaction, particularly on platforms like X, has been a mix of incredulity, criticism, and humor. Some users questioned how the head of Homeland Security could fall victim to a common theft, with one post stating, “How can she keep the homeland secure when she can’t even keep her purse secure??” Others speculated about the competence of her Secret Service detail, with comments like, “If the purse was near her, the Secret Service weren’t very attentive, were they?” Meanwhile, critics highlighted the irony of Noem’s recent remarks about gang activity, pointing out that she had previously flagged a suspect carrying $1,000 as evidence of criminal behavior, yet she herself was carrying three times that amount.

On Reddit, discussions ranged from sarcastic jabs about Noem’s “30-pound makeup bag” to more serious concerns about the potential compromise of sensitive information, with one user noting, “Less about the money and more about the potentially sensitive information/access to sensitive information on any devices in the bag.” Some even speculated, without evidence, about the possibility of the theft being a targeted act, though authorities have not suggested this was anything other than a random crime.
Context: Crime in D.C. and Noem’s Role
The theft comes at a time when crime in Washington, D.C., remains a significant issue, though violent crime reportedly hit a 30-year low in 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Property crimes, such as theft, continue to plague the city, and Noem’s experience underscores the vulnerability even high-profile individuals face in public spaces.

As DHS Secretary, Noem oversees critical national security functions, including border control, immigration, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity. Her department also includes agencies like the Secret Service, which is now tasked with investigating the very incident that occurred under its watch. The optics of the situation are challenging for Noem, who has positioned herself as a tough-on-crime figure. Critics, including some on X, have seized on the incident to question her competence, with one user quipping, “She can’t even handle being the Handbag Security Secretary, and people think she can be the Homeland Security Secretary.”
Broader Implications
The theft raises several broader questions. First, it highlights the risks of carrying large sums of cash and sensitive items, particularly for someone in Noem’s position. While DHS has defended her actions, the decision to carry $3,000 in cash, a passport, and a DHS badge in a single purse has been called “plain stupid” by some, including a self-professed Noem supporter on a Free Republic forum.

Second, the incident exposes potential gaps in the security protocols for high-ranking officials. Noem’s Secret Service detail, while present, was unable to prevent the theft, prompting speculation about whether the purse was left unattended or if the detail was momentarily distracted. This has fueled online debates about the adequacy of her protection, with one X user asking, “Where’s her Sherlock Holmes costume?”

Finally, the loss of a DHS access badge and blank checks could have security implications, though the Secret Service’s proactive monitoring of Noem’s financial accounts may mitigate some risks. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for heightened vigilance, even for those tasked with protecting the nation.
Conclusion
The theft of Kristi Noem’s purse at a Washington, D.C., restaurant is more than a personal misfortune; it’s a public relations challenge for a DHS Secretary already under scrutiny for her high-profile role. While the $3,000 in cash has drawn headlines, the theft of sensitive items like a DHS badge and passport underscores the potential gravity of the incident. As the Secret Service continues its investigation, Noem faces the task of reassuring the public that she can secure the homeland, even as critics question her ability to secure her own belongings. For now, the unknown thief remains at large, leaving Noem—and the nation—awaiting answers in a city where even the head of Homeland Security isn’t immune to crime.

The 1909 Cleveland Tornado: A Day of Devastation - Remembering St. Stanislaus Church


St. Stanislaus Church and Beyond—How a Five-Minute Storm Left a Lasting Mark 


On April 21, 1909, Cleveland, Ohio, faced a sudden and ferocious natural disaster that would etch itself into the city’s history. What began as an ordinary spring day turned catastrophic when, at 12:36 PM, a deadly tornado tore through the city, leaving a trail of destruction in just five minutes. With darkened skies and plummeting temperatures signaling its arrival, the storm claimed lives, demolished buildings, and forever altered neighborhoods like Broadway (now Slavic Village), a vibrant Polish neighborhood, with St. Stanislaus Church bearing the brunt of its fury. This article delves into the tornado’s impact on Cleveland, its ripple effects in nearby Lorain, and the historical significance of that fateful day.

Fifty-six years ago, I lived across the street from Saint Stan’s. There was a door that led downstairs into the church’s basement. I was around five or six years old, and a very old priest and I would make the Holy Communion wafers. From what I can remember, the machine looked like a waffle maker. Sadly, I cannot recall the priest’s name, but he was kind, sweet, and gentle. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven one day and hope to give him a big hug! Thank you for the wonderful memories.

Today what St. Stanislaus look like.
St. Stanislaus Church: The Heart of the Storm
In the Broadway neighborhood, a Polish enclave known then as Warszawa, St. Stanislaus Church stood as a proud symbol of Cleveland’s Polish community. Built in the 1890s with its iconic twin spires stretching 232 feet into the sky, the Gothic brick structure was a marvel—until the tornado struck. High winds toppled both spires, reducing them to rubble and sending debris crashing through the church’s interior. The damage was estimated at $125,000—over half the original $250,000 construction cost. Tragically, a brick from one of the collapsing towers struck and killed 14-year-old Arthur Neibralski near the adjacent St. Stanislaus School, marking the storm’s deadliest moment in the area.

The church wasn’t alone in its suffering. Nearby, St. Wenceslas Church lost its steeple, which smashed into two homes, reducing them to splinters. Immanuel Church’s steeple survived but was left cracked and unstable. The collapse of St. Stanislaus’ spires prompted city leaders to enact building height regulations, a legacy that shaped Cleveland’s skyline for decades. Remarkably, the parishioners rallied, rebuilding within a year—though the new spires were capped at 122 feet, thanks to tornado insurance secured by the foresightful pastor.

Cleveland’s Broader Toll
Beyond the churches, the tornado carved a destructive path across Cleveland’s industrial and residential zones. The Leisy Brewing Company at 3400 Vega Avenue suffered severe damage when its roof was ripped off, exposing machinery and spoiling beer and raw materials. Initial estimates pegged the brewery’s losses at over $100,000—equivalent to millions today. The storm’s sporadic nature was evident: while some buildings were obliterated, others nearby stood unscathed, a testament to the tornado’s unpredictable wrath.
The Broadway neighborhood, though not the epicenter of the damage, endured the storm’s most poignant tragedy with Neibralski’s death. Across the city, industries halted production for days, and the total damage reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. At least seven deaths were reported in Cleveland and its vicinity, though exact figures remain elusive due to limited records from the time.

While Cleveland bore the tornado’s immediate fury on April 21, 1909, the region’s vulnerability to such storms was underscored 15 years later in Lorain. On June 28, 1924, an even deadlier F4 tornado struck Lorain and Sandusky, killing 85 people—72 in Lorain alone—and causing millions in damages. Every church in Lorain was hit, with steeples toppled or damaged beyond repair. The 1909 Cleveland tornado’s impact on building codes influenced Lorain’s recovery: post-1909 height restrictions meant that churches rebuilt after 1924 lacked their former grandeur. The 1909 event, though less lethal, set a precedent for how Northeast Ohio grappled with nature’s fury.


Historical Context and Aftermath
The 1909 tornado wasn’t Ohio’s deadliest—that title belongs to the 1924 Lorain-Sandusky storm or the 1974 Xenia tornado (32 deaths)—but it was a wake-up call. Lasting just five minutes, it highlighted the region’s susceptibility to sudden, violent weather despite not being in Tornado Alley. The storm’s path through Cleveland’s Slavic Village and industrial zones disrupted a city on the cusp of its industrial peak, with a population nearing 560,000 by 1910.
Residents responded with resilience. At St. Stanislaus, the Polish community’s swift rebuilding effort preserved the church as a cultural anchor, later earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The tornado also spurred practical changes, like the adoption of insurance and stricter construction standards, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental risks.

Pictures of the Damage
Historical images of the 1909 tornado’s aftermath are preserved through sources like the Cleveland Memory Project and Cleveland Historical. Notable photographs include:

These images are accessible online through Cleveland State University’s Special Collections and Cleveland Historical’s digital exhibits. They offer a stark visual record of a day that tested Cleveland’s spirit.

A Lasting Legacy
The April 21, 1909, tornado remains a pivotal moment in Cleveland’s story—a brief but brutal reminder of nature’s power. St. Stanislaus Church, though scarred, emerged as a symbol of endurance, its rebuilt form still standing today as the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus. Lorain’s later tragedy amplified the region’s tornado lore, but 1909 set the stage. As we reflect on this event 116 years later, it’s a call to remember the past, honor the lost, and prepare for whatever storms may come. What other tales of resilience lie buried in Cleveland’s history? The winds of 1909 whisper still.

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Kristi Noem’s Capital Burger Blunder: DHS Diva’s Purse Plucked in Pickle-Powered Pilfering

  Kristi Noem Thief Swipes $3,000, Badge, and Kristi’s Crime-Busting Mojo Mid-Milkshake at Capital Burger Homeland Security Secretary Kristi...