During a visit to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made headlines not just for her statements, but also for her extravagant accessories. Clad in a white long-sleeve top, gray slacks, and a baseball cap sporting the Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo, Noem's choice of a gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch—valued at approximately $50,000—caught significant public discourse.
The visit came amid critical political moves, as the Trump administration seeks to resume deportations of Venezuelan nationals, something a federal judge had recently halted. As Noem documented her visit in front of crowded bunks of inmates, the stark contrast between her luxurious watch and the grim environment led to widespread scrutiny on social media.
Critics pounced on the seemingly inappropriate nature of flaunting such wealth in a setting filled with hardship. The prison itself, known as Cecot, was part of President Nayib Bukele's aggressive approach to controlling gang violence through mass incarceration—a campaign that has raised alarms from human rights organizations.
Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at Homeland Security, defended Noem's choice by stating that the watch was bought with proceeds from her books, intended as a family heirloom. However, the decision to wear it during such a visit left many questioning the message it sends regarding empathy and understanding in dire circumstances.
