Why Is Kristi Noem Carrying Around $3,000 In Cash?

Summary

Bulwark Takes: Detailed Summary of "Why Is Kristi Noem Carrying Around $3,000 In Cash?"

Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by Tim Miller and featuring managing editor Sam Stein, the discussion centers around a recent and troubling incident involving Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. The episode delves into the details of the purse theft incident, examines potential security lapses by the Secret Service, and explores Kristi Noem’s professional relationship with Corey Lewandowski. Through incisive analysis and compelling dialogue, the hosts unpack the implications of these events on national security and political integrity.

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The Purse Theft Incident

Timestamp: [00:45] - [06:13]

The episode kicks off with Tim Miller introducing the main story: Kristi Noem's purse was stolen on Easter Sunday night by a masked individual, during which $3,000 in cash was taken. The incident, reported by CNN, raised immediate concerns due to its unusual nature, especially considering Noem's high-profile position.

• Details of the Theft:

  • Tim Miller describes the theft: “...Kristi Noem was having dinner Easter Sunday night, and her purse was stolen by a man, a masked man, uh, in the purse. Notably $3,000 cash. Uh, which has raised a lot of questions.” (00:45)

  • Sam Stein adds: “There's more things in the purse, but that was the most notable.” (01:18)

• Contents of the Purse:

  The purloined items included not just the substantial cash but also blank checks, a makeup bag, medication, an apartment key, and a passport, effectively making it resemble a "go-bag."

  • Tim Miller quips humorously about the situation: “...you can't get a new face and then not expect people to notice it. It's fine...” leading into a lighthearted exchange about her appearance and the practicality of carrying such items. (02:36 - 03:03)

• Implications and Reactions:

  The presence of a passport and a significant amount of cash in the purse of a Cabinet Secretary like Kristi Noem raises questions about security protocols and personal safety measures.

  • Sam Stein remarks: “Do you carry your passport around? I don't care.” (01:51), highlighting the unusual nature of such an item being readily accessible.

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Secret Service's Security Failures

Timestamp: [03:06] - [05:36]

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the apparent failure of the Secret Service to prevent the theft, sparking concerns about their effectiveness in protecting high-ranking officials.

• Critique of Secret Service:

  • Sam Stein points out: “That is a legitimate concern. So that's the eyebrow raising elements of it.” (03:06), emphasizing doubts about how the thief managed to get close enough to execute the theft despite Noem’s Secret Service protection.

  • Tim Miller echoes these concerns: “...there have been a lot of Secret Service failures recently.” (04:16), referencing recent incidents that have cast doubt on the agency’s reliability.

  • Sam Stein adds context by mentioning ongoing investigations and reporting: “there have been a lot of issues within the Secret Service I like. I mean, it feels like this your only job.” (03:48), suggesting that recent operational deficiencies may have contributed to the lapse.

• Comparison to Past Incidents:

  The hosts draw parallels to other high-profile security breaches, implying a pattern of vulnerabilities within the Secret Service. This comparison underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential need for systemic reforms.

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Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski Relationship

Timestamp: [06:13] - [11:04]

Transitioning from the theft incident, the conversation shifts to Kristi Noem’s professional association with Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign chief who now serves as her de facto chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• Alleged Personal Conduct:

  • Tim Miller references a Wall Street Journal report detailing Lewandowski’s inappropriate behavior at an addiction awareness fundraiser, where he reportedly made “very inappropriate advances on a woman, a married woman named Trishell Odom.” (07:02 - 08:14)

  • Sam Stein discusses the implications of Lewandowski’s continued role despite negative perceptions within the Trump orbit: “...he's been working on her pack, you know, follows her to DC Seems to be in some ways indispensable for her.” (09:17)

• Impact on DHS and Political Dynamics:

  The episode highlights concerns within the White House and broader political circles regarding Lewandowski’s influence and the appropriateness of his position, given his controversial reputation.

  • Tim Miller shares past experiences with Lewandowski: “...Corey was hammered at this addiction awareness fundraiser...” (07:02), illustrating the contentious nature of their relationship.

  • Sam Stein notes the peculiar persistence of Lewandowski in his role despite lack of support: “The whole thing is weird. And yes, this is yet another black mark for the Secret Service...” (09:52 - 10:25)

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Analysis and Insights

Timestamp: [05:36] - [10:15]

The hosts delve into the broader implications of the purse theft and Lewandowski’s role, questioning standard procedures and the potential motivations behind carrying significant cash.

• Questioning the Necessity of Cash:

  • Sam Stein posits: “Why does she have 3,000? No, I don't. What do you do with $3,000 in cash?” (05:12 - 05:21), challenging the practicality of carrying such an amount.

  • Tim Miller speculates various reasons, albeit tentatively: “You might not want a family member to see what you're paying money on, or a government.” (05:30 - 05:52)

• Speculation on Security Protocols:

  The discussion hints at potential loopholes or lapses in security measures, especially considering Noem’s status and the Secret Service’s typical role.

  • Sam Stein questions the effectiveness of current protection strategies: “Like, some guy walks into a restaurant with a mask on and be like, what the hell is that guy doing?” (04:30 - 04:31)

• Potential Consequences and Future Developments:

  The hosts anticipate further investigations and possible repercussions for both the Secret Service and the individuals involved, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.

  • Sam Stein concludes: “There’s a lot of office intrigue about story for sure.” (11:04 - 11:27), indicating ongoing developments and the complexity of the situation.

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Conclusion

In wrapping up, Tim Miller and Sam Stein underscore the significance of the purse theft incident and its broader implications on national security and political dynamics within the Department of Homeland Security. They advocate for continued vigilance and thorough investigation into both the theft and the surrounding circumstances, including the questionable handling by the Secret Service and the influence of Corey Lewandowski.

• Final Remarks:

  • Tim Miller urges listeners to stay informed: “We'll keep a close eye on this story.” (11:27)

  • The episode concludes with a call to action: “Everybody subscribe to the feed. Where else are you going to get this? Come to the Bulwark.” (11:30 - 11:39)

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Miller: “With new McValue and McDonald's, you get more than you expect...” (00:00)

• Sam Stein: “There's more things in the purse, but that was the most notable.” (01:18)

• Tim Miller: “Why is the Secretary of Homeland Security carrying a go bag?” (01:35)

• Sam Stein: “Do you carry your passport around? I don't care.” (01:51)

• Tim Miller: “...you can't get a new face and then not expect people to notice it.” (02:36)

• Sam Stein: “How did someone get that close to steal her handbag? Maybe she was like up and out and, you know, in the bathroom and someone came and swiped back.” (03:48)

• Sam Stein: “What do you do with $3,000 in cash?” (05:14)

• Tim Miller: “She's not the Secretary of handbag security.” (01:59)

• Sam Stein: “There's a lot of office intrigue about story for sure.” (11:04)

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a comprehensive examination of a perplexing incident involving a high-ranking government official, intertwining it with broader issues of security and political relationships. Through their insightful dialogue, Tim Miller and Sam Stein provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding Kristi Noem’s purse theft, the apparent shortcomings of the Secret Service, and the contentious role of Corey Lewandowski within DHS.

Transcript

[Tim Miller]

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[Ryan]

Valid for item of equal or lesser value.

[Alison Marino]

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[Tim Miller]

Hey, everybody, it's Tim Miller from the Bulwark. And when you get a story about a cabinet secretary with a new face having her purse stolen with $3,000 of cash, I have no choice but to discuss the details with Sam Ste, our managing editor. The big headline here from cnn, Christy Gnome was having dinner Easter Sunday night, and her purse was stolen by a man, a masked man, uh, in the purse. Notably $3,000 cash. Uh, which has raised a lot of questions.

[Sam Stein]

There's more things in the. There was more things in the purse, but that was the most notable.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, blank checks. Also a makeup bag. Need. Need the makeup bag, medication, apartment case, a passport. I mean, it's kind of like a go bag.

[Sam Stein]

You never gotta go.

[Tim Miller]

Why. Why is the Secretary of Homeland Security carrying a go bag? I did enjoy the joke.

[Sam Stein]

That is. I didn't really appreciate the passport. We're sure the passport was in there?

[Tim Miller]

I'm reading it right now from CNN.com.

[Sam Stein]

Do you carry your passport around? I don't care.

[Tim Miller]

I do not. I'm not the Secretary of Homeland Security, though I did. Someone online noted she's not the Secretary of handbag security. So she's focused mostly on.

[Sam Stein]

Do you think. Do you think that the Secretary of Homeland Security has to present her passport when.

[Tim Miller]

I mean, she just went to El Salvador for a snuff film, so it's.

[Sam Stein]

Possible that was not that it was fairly. That was weeks ago.

[Tim Miller]

Does she. I would assume she has to get her passport stamped even when you're at that level, when she goes into El Salvador.

[Sam Stein]

So she's. That may make sense. And she's moving in and around a lot. I don't know. But I wouldn't carry my passport around to A restaurant. That's crazy.

[Tim Miller]

So what do you make of this, Sam? I mean, it's kind of a funny story, but also there's funny. There's an eyebrow.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, there's two eyebrows.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, well, she can't raise any eyebrows, but for the rest of us.

[Sam Stein]

Stop it. Stop it.

[Tim Miller]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

[Sam Stein]

Stop.

[Tim Miller]

You can't get a new face and then not expect people to notice it. It's fine. Like, look, if I Guys, if 20 years from now my hair is still brown, I give, I give the TikTok YouTuber, you know, the young smart ass TikTok YouTuber, the right to make fun of the fact that it's not my natural hair. It's just, you know, you gotta just.

[Sam Stein]

It's not your natural hair now it is. That's a wig.

[Tim Miller]

I'm au natural.

[Sam Stein]

All right, this is what I actually think of this.

[Tim Miller]

Okay.

[Sam Stein]

It's both eyebrow raising for a couple of reasons, but the primary one is she has Secret Service protection. How did someone get that close to steal her handbag? Maybe she was like up and out and, you know, in the bathroom and someone came and swiped back. But where was Secret Service? Like, that's a legitimate concern. So that's the eyebrow raising elements of it. And then there's the. What is she doing with $3,000 of cash elements of it. And then there's just a sort of like, I kind of am sickly curious. What restaurant? I kind of want to know where is she dying in? In D.C. how did this happen? Like, I, I don't know. There's a bunch of, like, there's a lot of quirky.

[Tim Miller]

Let's, let's, let's dial in on the Secret Service because we had a lot of Secret Service failures recently. Yeah, obviously the, the tax on, on now President Trump, then Canada Trump. You know, Caroline Egg at the Post, your neighbor has written a lot about this. Um, you know, and, and there have been a lot of issues within the Secret Service I like. I mean, it feels like this your only job. You know, it feels like you have one job if you're at a restaurant with a principal, is to make sure that strangers. A mask. I mean, I guess it was a kind of a Covid style mask, not like a black mask. But.

[Sam Stein]

But even that would be more suggestive of someone you should have your eye on. Like some guy walks into a restaurant with a mask on and be like, what the hell is that guy doing?

[Tim Miller]

Not 2021.

[Sam Stein]

No. And I know. Yeah. So that Whole thing is weird. And yes, this is yet another black mark for the Secret Service who's had a number of bad incidents in the past couple years. And Carol's been on top of all of it, written the book on it, literally. So I'm assuming there's going to be some, you know, investigation to what went wrong. Our colleague Will Summer called up Washington D.C. police to see if they have an incident report on this, and they referred him to Secret Service. So I guess they're taking point on this, but they fucked up.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. Well, okay, now let's get to the bag. But really, who carries $3,000? That's Tony Soprano. Do you know anyone that carries 3,000? I don't know of cash. No.

[Sam Stein]

No.

[Tim Miller]

Like a wad and you're just kind of.

[Sam Stein]

No. Why does she have 3,000? No, I don't. What do you do with $3,000 in cash? Why you have that in your bag?

[Tim Miller]

I can't. I've. I've been racking my brain, like, could there be a reason that a. That a cabinet secretary would want to have cash that a regular person wouldn't?

[Sam Stein]

She's got. We presume she has credit cards. Yeah, but I can't, like, maybe even Apple Pay. Who knows?

[Tim Miller]

I can't think of it. I mean, there are some things that come to mind. Like you might not want a family member to see what you're paying money on, or a government. Or a foia. If it was a government card, I guess we could FOIA for government payments. But what would be.

[Sam Stein]

Maybe she's going in and out of the country and she needs the cash, but credit cards work and she's on a government salary and they pay for everything. There's something really weird about this. Honestly, I'm not trying to be like, suggestive or conspiratorial, though it comes off this way. But carrying that amount of cash when you're top government official seems a little bit odd to me.

[Tim Miller]

Okay, if you're not going to be suggestive, I might. The.

[Sam Stein]

Wow. You needed the green light. Okay, go ahead.

[Tim Miller]

There's another story about Kristi Noem and the person's role at the Department of Homeland Security. It was the Wall Street Journal earlier this week how Corey Lewandowski became Kristi Noem's gatekeeper at dhs. Trump's former campaign chief is working as her de facto chief of staff, despite White House concerns about their relationship. So not Tim's concerns. White House concerns about their relationship. There have been a lot of reporting that they had a kind of an affair of some kind that has been out there. Obviously, they've denied it.

[Sam Stein]

There's been denials left and right just to be. It's out there. Everyone has been reporting it. If you're not reported it, you've heard about it. It's in the ether.

[Tim Miller]

And so, you know, there have been some actual, tangible, on the record examples such as this. My favorite one was probably, like, the third best thing I've ever written for the Bulwark, which was before you came here. The headline was the maga Trashiest police report in history. Do you have. Do you remember this? We can do this together. This is October 4, 2021, well before your time at the block. Before we were a YouTube kind of endeavor when we, you know, used our fingers. And I got tipped off by a friend at that point. I still had some Trump friends. Like, they didn't really. They didn't like me, but they still talked to me. None of them talked to me anymore. And they didn't like Corey. And somebody was like, you might want to look at this police report that was just filed. And the police report was from a addiction awareness fundraiser at a Benihana in Las Vegas. It was in the private room of a Benihana. Corey was hammered. Again, this is all according to the police report. So, you know, no wild accusations here. Corey was hammered at this addiction awareness fundraiser and started making very inappropriate advances on a woman, a married woman named Trishell Odom.

[Sam Stein]

I think I know the story. Go ahead.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. Kristi Noem was at the fundraiser. Corey had traveled there with Kristi Noem. And, you know, there were. One of the things that Ms. Odom said in the report was that Corey called Kristi Noem hot while they were discussing, while they were commenting. But one of the more interesting things from the report came after the dinner when Odom and her stepson were in, like, the picture line to go take a picture with Kristi Noemi. And she. She said when they went to do the. The photo. No. Volunteered to her that she was sorry for Corey's behavior and that she was texting Corey to stop touching her during the dinner. Mrs. Odom said that was confusing for her stepson. That is intriguing. Right? That's. That that gnome and Corey had that type of relationship. He's texting him during a dinner, being like, behave, behave, behave. Now they're all. Now he's the deputy chief of staff.

[Sam Stein]

Well, it's just. It's weird. It's interesting. Yeah, it's. What's interesting is that he's continued to stay in this kind of shadowy role where he's in and around her political orbit. He's been working on her pack, you know, follows her to DC Seems to be in some ways indispensable for her. And yet there's not many fans of his inside the Trump orbit. And certainly if there were, he would have a job at the White House. So, yeah, that. The whole thing, the whole relationship is fascinating, I suppose.

[Tim Miller]

Fascinating.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

And so, again, who know there are millions. I mean, they're not a million reasons. There are a handful of reasons why you might want $30,000 in cause. Among them might be just maybe you.

[Sam Stein]

Need to buy a dog to replace the. To replace the one that you shot.

[Tim Miller]

A gift or a dinner.

[Sam Stein]

I remember I got to buy a dog and I need cash.

[Tim Miller]

They need cash to replace the dog. Yeah. I don't know, maybe handing out tips to the jailers when you're going to take. Strange.

[Sam Stein]

More than one person has pointed out that some of these arrests that are being made are, you know, based on people having wads of cash. So there's.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, well, they, they mentioned several things. Had mentioned that in the Brego Garcia case because I misunderstood it, actually. I should correct myself. I forget I'm. I'm doing too many of these YouTube videos, but I should correct myself in the past when I said that he had wads of cash when that wasn't true. Actually. The, the. They had the, the anti. You know, the, the MAGA folks had made it kind of seem like that in the, in the report. But if you read it closely, it was no, his. He was wearing a hoodie that had pictures of Watts. So, like, all he had was, like, images of Watts.

[Sam Stein]

Images of Watts.

[Tim Miller]

That was enough to, you know, be more evidence of sending him to El Salvador, whereas Christie's just.

[Sam Stein]

Christy was carrying around. Good thing she didn't have a Michael Jordan hoodie on or something like that.

[Tim Miller]

Do you think Adrian and the. Do you think Adrian ever had three. Three grand in cash on her? I don't know if Christopher would have allowed that to happen. Okay. Sam Stein, thank you so much. Well, we're going to keep a close eye on this story.

[Sam Stein]

There's a lot of office intrigue about story for sure.

[Tim Miller]

The slacks are blowing up, so there will be more. Everybody subscribe to the feed. Where else are you going to get this? Come to the Bulwark at Sam Stein, I'm Tim Miller. We'll see you soon. Hello.

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