In a twist of irony, the woman known for orchestrating the largest deportation of Hispanics in U.S. history chose to ring in her 54th birthday at a Mexican restaurant.
Kristi Noem, in keeping with the festive spirit, sported a sombrero during the celebration.
The public’s reaction was as predictable as it was swift.
Noem shared a video on social media, showing her wearing a vibrant pink and yellow sombrero while the restaurant staff serenaded her with “Happy Birthday” in Spanish.
This lighthearted celebration at a charming Mexican eatery in Watertown, South Dakota, has since stirred up controversy. The establishment is now under scrutiny for hosting the former Department of Homeland Security secretary and her family.
The Daily Mail reports that the restaurant has been inundated with critical calls from customers unhappy with their choice to accommodate the former Trump administration official.
And members of the Hispanic community have some choice expletives for Santo Tequila.
One Reddit user said: ‘If it’s a true Mexican Restaurant, f*** them for sitting her and her family. If it’s not, f*** those guys that were signing to her. Also, f*** her for all the hate she’s brought on.’
‘Why wasn’t she told to leave?’ another user questioned, adding: ‘Her, and any ICE agents, should always get refused service by any Mexican restaurants as a show of solidarity against what they are doing to migrants.’
Noem has led President Donald Trump’s hawkish migrant crackdown and ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct nationwide raids rounding up undocumented immigrants.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wore a sombrero at a Mexican restaurant as staff sang her Happy Birthday in Spanish
The irony wasn’t lost on social media users who pointed to Noem leading the nationwide ICE raids targeting mostly Hispanic people and deporting them to their home countries
Multiple commenters speculated that workers were probably lining up to spit in Noem’s food.
‘Enjoy bodily fluids in everything you eat,’ a Reddit user posted.
But restaurant staff told a different story, claiming they were unaware of who she was at the time, but gave her the usual birthday treatment that anyone would’ve received.
‘Nobody knew her. The waiter just tried to give the best service he can. He didn’t know who it is,’ Santo Tequila’s manager exclusively told the Daily Mail.
He admitted, however, that the restaurant has suffered since Noem dined there on November 29 – a day before her birthday.
‘The day that Kristi came in I received a lot of phone calls, especially from Spanish people. There was a lot of hate,’ he explained.
‘The only thing we know is that we treat everyone equally and they will always be welcome. Our doors will be open to anyone, whenever they come, treating them in the best way and with respect.’
He also told the Daily Mail that it was Noem’s husband, Bryon, who made the reservations. He and other members of the family dined with her at the Mexican restaurant.
A worker at Santo Tequila took off Noem’s government-emblemed ball cap and replaced with with a pink and yellow sombrero
Noem, with a baby in her lap, then clapped and made exaggerated facial expressions at the birthday dessert adorned with a large sparkler
A manager for the restaurant said that Noem’s husband Bryon made the reservations and were among those at the table dining with the DHS Secretary on November 29
In the video, Noem has a baby on her lap as a member of the staff took off her government hat and replaced it with the sombrero.
The manager said that they will sing in either English or Spanish, whichever those dining prefer.
‘For any celebration, we celebrate it this way, with a hat, singing to them and wishing them a Happy Birthday or a Happy Anniversary.’
But the optics weren’t lost on social media users.
‘Can ya see the irony in this?’ a Facebook user questioned.
Another quipped: ‘After the song she has them deported.’
On reddit one user reacted with: ‘This is beyond trashy… kinda sadistic if you ask me.’
A spokesperson for DHS declined to comment on the video or address the backlash stemming from the Secretary’s birthday video.
