Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has found herself in the spotlight after her handbag was reportedly stolen while she was dining at a restaurant in downtown Washington, DC, this weekend.
According to CNN, the suspect made off with several personal and sensitive items, including Noem’s driver’s license, prescription medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks and approximately $3,000 in cash.
While the governor was not harmed in the incident, the episode has raised questions about her security detail and sparked new interest in her family, particularly her husband, Bryon Noem. Details remain sparse about whether Bryon was there at the time of the theft.
Who Is Kristi Noem?
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, 53, served as the governor of South Dakota from 2019 until this year, having previously represented the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a supporter of President Donald Trump.
A Republican, she has become a high-profile national figure within the party, especially noted for her conservative stance on issues such as COVID-19 mask-wearing mandates and gun rights.
Before entering politics, Noem managed her family’s ranch and farm operations, according to a 2024 social media post. She gained national attention during the pandemic for resisting mask mandates.
Bryon Noem at his wife, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s confirmation hearing at the U.S. Capitol on January 17, 2025. Bryon Noem at his wife, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s confirmation hearing at the U.S. Capitol on January 17, 2025. Ben Curtis/AP Photos
Who Is Kristi Noem’s Husband, Bryon Noem?
Bryon Noem is a native of South Dakota and has maintained a low public profile compared to his wife. According to his official biography from the National Governors Association, he grew up on a farm and has remained involved in rural community life throughout his adult years.
After earning a degree from Northern State University, he spent several years in banking and financial services before launching his crop insurance agency. Kristi and Bryon married in 1992 in Watertown, South Dakota.
Bryon Noem is also known for his support of small-town initiatives in South Dakota. He launched a program called “This is South Dakota,” aimed at highlighting the resilience of rural communities across the state. Though he is not an elected official, Bryon Noem has sometimes appeared at public events that support community development.
“Happy 32nd Anniversary to us!! I love you Bryon,” Kristi posted on Instagram in May 2024. “Thank you for making me a wife, mother, grandmother, and living a life full of adventure with me!”
Do Kristi and Bryon Noem Have Kids?
Kristi and Bryon Noem have three children together: Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker. They are also grandparents.
The Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek that Noem had the $3,000 in cash to “treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts.”
“We can confirm this occurred last night. Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren,” the statement from DHS said.
The couple has frequently highlighted their family in social media posts, portraying a close-knit household.
Noem has credited her family, particularly her husband, with helping her stay grounded during the highs and lows of political life. While their children maintain a relatively private life, they occasionally appear alongside their parents at campaign events and official functions.
