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Who Is Kristi Noem? Trump VP Pick Makes New Controversial Statements

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem finds herself barred from entering 20% of her own state. This prohibition, enacted by several Native American tribes, follows Noem's incendiary remarks linking tribal chiefs to narcotics traffickers.

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Oshi Saxena
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Image Credit : KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem finds herself barred from entering 20% of her own state. This prohibition, enacted by several Native American tribes, follows Noem's incendiary remarks linking tribal chiefs to narcotics traffickers. Former President Donald Trump's prospective running mate has also previously admitted to the euthanasia of her family's pet dog and a male goat. These revelations, chronicled in her book titled 'No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward', have ignited a firestorm of controversy and condemnation in the public domain.

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Noem Faces Ban from Entering Tribal Lands

The ban stems from Noem's assertion that tribal leaders profit from the presence of drug cartels within their territories. This assertion, made during a forum in March, ignited a firestorm of criticism from numerous Native American communities, prompting them to deny her access to their lands. Notably, tribes such as the Yankton Sioux Tribe, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Oglala and Rosebud Sioux Tribes have all imposed bans on Governor Noem.

In response to the bans, Governor Noem has doubled down on her stance, advocating for tribal leaders to take action against drug cartels while offering her assistance in restoring law and order to their communities. However, her rhetoric has drawn criticism from tribal leaders and activists, who view her statements as inflammatory and disrespectful to tribal sovereignty.

The strained relationship between South Dakota and its Native American tribes predates Governor Noem's tenure. Tensions flared during the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, where Noem's involvement led to her temporary suspension from the Oglala Sioux reservation in 2019. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing tensions, with tribes erecting barriers at reservation borders to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Noem's Controversial Revelations About Her Dog 

Within the pages of her book, Governor Noem recounts the events surrounding the demise of her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket, and a male goat from her property. Cricket, originally intended for pheasant hunting, displayed what Noem describes as an "aggressive personality," prompting her to undertake training efforts. Despite her best attempts, Cricket's behaviour escalated during a hunting expedition, resulting in its euthanasia after attacking a neighbouring family's chickens. Noem candidly admits her disdain for the animal, labelling it as "less than worthless" in the context of hunting.

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Noem's account continues with the distressing narrative of Cricket's demise, whereby she took it upon herself to end the dog's life at a gravel pit on her property. Furthermore, Noem reveals her decision to dispatch a male goat, characterized as "nasty and mean," due to its aggressive behaviour towards her children and its offensive odour.

Facing the Consequences

Governor Noem has found herself besieged by a wave of public condemnation and outcry. Critics have lambasted her actions as callous and unjustifiable, with many expressing outrage over the perceived mishandling of the situation. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for dissent, with individuals from diverse backgrounds voicing their disdain for what they perceive as a gross disregard for animal welfare.

Noem, however, defended her actions, citing the pragmatic realities of farm life and the necessity of making tough decisions. Despite her attempts to rationalize her actions, the backlash shows no signs of abating

Trump VP Pick's Reproductive Rights Stance Also Sparks Debate

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem recently appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and expressed her position on abortion, aligning with former President Donald Trump’s perspective on the matter. She emphasized the importance of states having the autonomy to determine their abortion laws, firmly stating that women who are victims of rape or incest should not have access to abortion services. Governor Noem believes that it is a conservative principle to allow each state to shape its laws according to the will of its citizens. 

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In addition to her stance on abortion, Governor Noem commented on the hush money lawsuit against Trump. She called the lawsuit “ridiculous” and questioned the timing of the lawsuit.

Governor Noem's Alignment with Former President Trump

During the interview, conducted by CNN anchor Dana Bash, Governor Noem reaffirmed her support for Trump's position on allowing states to determine their abortion laws. She referenced her previous co-sponsorship of federal legislation aimed at banning abortion, highlighting the significance of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which effectively shifted the power back to the states, while emphasizing the importance of respecting the diverse perspectives and preferences of individual states, noting that laws pertaining to abortion may vary based on regional considerations and the desires of the respective populations.

Former President Trump has consistently advocated for state autonomy in matters concerning abortion policy. His stance diverges from that of some fellow Republicans who favour a federal abortion ban.  Trump has made it clear that he would not endorse such federal intervention, stating his belief in the constitutional authority of states to make decisions on this issue. Notably, South Dakota swiftly enacted a trigger law following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which imposed penalties on doctors who perform abortions within the state. This law, while prohibiting most abortions, includes exceptions only in cases where the life of the pregnant individual is at risk.

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Noem's Defense of South Dakota's Abortion Law

Despite criticisms questioning whether South Dakota's abortion law is overly restrictive, Governor Noem staunchly defended the state's position, emphasizing that the current law reflects the will of the people of South Dakota to uphold their decisions. Governor Noem clarified that while she personally identifies as pro-life, she respects the constitutional authority of states and refrains from imposing her personal beliefs on others. By advocating for state autonomy in abortion policy, both Governor Noem and former President Trump highlight the importance of decentralizing decision-making processes and empowering individual states to address complex social issues according to their unique contexts and values.

Why Noem Criticizes Trump's Hush Money Trial as "Ridiculous"

In addition to discussing abortion, Noem delivered scathing remarks regarding the ongoing hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump in New York. Noem, a staunch Republican and potential vice presidential contender, condemned the trial as "ridiculous" and suggested it was politically motivated.

Noem expressed her support for Trump's decision to pay hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his presidency, emphasizing that Trump had covered his legal expenses. Her defense of Trump's actions stresses the continued loyalty within certain Republican circles to the former president, despite the legal challenges he faces.

Noem criticized how Democrats are utilizing the judicial system, including the appointment of activist judges, to pursue legal action against political opponents. She framed the trial as part of a broader pattern of Democrats weaponizing legal proceedings for political gain, rather than pursuing justice impartially.

A central point of contention for Noem is the timing of the hush money trial, which she views as suspiciously coinciding with a presidential election cycle. She argued that if there were legitimate grounds for prosecution, charges should have been brought forward earlier rather than conveniently timed to coincide with Trump's campaign for re-election. She also echoed sentiments previously expressed by Trump and his allies, alleging that the trial set up by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is politically charged.

Legal Charges Against Trump

The hush money trial entails Trump facing 34 counts related to the falsification of business records, particularly about reimbursements made to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. These reimbursements, totaling $130,000, were reportedly made to prevent Stormy Daniels from publicly discussing her alleged affair with Trump, before the 2016 presidential election.

Kristi Noem Trump VP Select Reproductive Rights of Rape Survivors South Dakota Governor
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