Kristi Noem Faces Backlash for Wearing Sombrero at Mexican Restaurant on Her Birthday

Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, is facing widespread criticism online after sharing a video of herself wearing a sombrero during a birthday celebration at a Mexican restaurant. The footage, shared on Noems Facebook on November 29, captures a staff member removing her baseball cap and placing a bright pink and yellow sombrero on her head while singing Happy Birthday in Spanish. The song was repeated in English as Noem applauded along.

Noem celebrated her 54th birthday on November 30. Given her influential role in the Department of Homeland Security and the nationwide effects of ICE operations, the video drew strong reactions across social media platforms. On Facebook, it garnered over 143,000 views, with users posting sharp critiques such as, After the song she has them deported! and references to her past, including a controversial admission about harming an animal.

Reddit users also expressed outrage, while Santo Tequila, the restaurant in Watertown, South Dakota, received a flood of one-star Yelp reviews following Noems visit. Comments criticized the restaurant for hosting her, with statements like, This place has ZERO respect for the Hispanic community, and, You hosted and praised Kristi Noem?! A dog-killing Racist and Fascist? You enjoy serving Hispanic food but despise Hispanic people?

Author: Noah Whitman