Kristi Noem, South Dakota’s governor and recently considered for Trump’s Homeland Security pick, has faced criticism for allegedly neglecting her state duties. Here’s a breakdown of several incidents where her actions drew ire and raised concerns about her priorities:

In 2020, Noem reportedly intervened when her daughter Kassidy Peters’ application for a real estate appraiser license was set to be denied. She convened a meeting with Peters and state officials, and Peters received her license shortly afterward. This led to a state ethics board finding sufficient evidence suggesting Noem may have engaged in misconduct.

Six Native American tribes in South Dakota banned Noem from their reservations by 2024. This drastic move followed her comments implying tribal leaders were benefiting from drug cartels operating on reservations. Tribal representatives denounced the claims as inflammatory and harmful to state-tribal relations.

Reports show Noem used a state-owned airplane for non-official events, including political gatherings like those hosted by the NRA and the Republican Jewish Coalition. South Dakota law restricts state aircraft use to official business, prompting an ethics board to refer the case to the attorney general for further investigation.4.

During the 2019 farming crisis, South Dakota farmers faced record flooding and financial instability, yet Noem was criticized for offering limited tangible support. Critics accused her of prioritizing national political ambitions over addressing her state’s economic struggles.

Noem’s approach to COVID-19 garnered national attention for its laissez-faire stance, including her refusal to issue a statewide mask mandate. Her leadership drew backlash as South Dakota became a COVID-19 hotspot in late 2020, with overwhelmed hospitals and one of the highest infection rates in the country.

Many South Dakotans felt abandoned as Noem spent significant time campaigning for Republican candidates across the country and appearing at national political events, raising speculation about her ambitions for higher office. Critics argued her focus should have been on state governance.

Noem has also faced criticism for controversial education policies, including opposing Critical Race Theory while failing to address South Dakota’s declining teacher retention rates. Educators claimed her policies were more about courting national conservative support than solving local issues.

Kristi Noem’s leadership style has sparked debate over whether she has South Dakota’s best interests at heart. With controversies ranging from ethical concerns to neglecting pressing local issues, her gubernatorial track record is seen by many as a stepping stone for national ambitions rather than a commitment to serving her state.

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