The leaders of a Native American tribe in South Dakota have taken the decision to ban Gov. Kristi Noem (R) from their reservation. This action comes in response to her earlier comments suggesting that tribal leaders have benefited from drug cartels.
On social media, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in central South Dakota confirmed that they have voted to ban Noem from their reservation. This decision was made in response to her controversial comments about cartels.
Six out of the nine reservations in the state have prohibited Noem from visiting, following a vote. Although the Yankton Sioux Tribe, which oversees the Yankton Reservation in South Dakota, has not officially banned Noem from visiting, the tribe’s business and claims committee is in favor of implementing a ban.
Kyle Loudner, a council member with the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, expressed that the community came to a unanimous decision to ban her, along with the tribal council, due to her offensive comments about the tribes and cartels. He also mentioned her derogatory remarks about the children, claiming that she considered them to be insignificant because of their parents.
The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has been contacted by The Hill for additional comment.
During a forum in March, the governor expressed his belief that certain tribal leaders are personally benefiting from the presence of cartels, which is the reason why they continuously attack him.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem expressed her commitment to advocating for the people who are directly affected by challenging circumstances. She emphasized her dedication to helping the residents of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, who reach out to her regularly, seeking assistance and expressing their fears.
According to NPR, Peter Lengkeek, chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, has refuted the allegations that cartels operate on the reservations. Lengkeek stated that the tribe does not have any cartels present.
According to NPR, he expressed his concern about the governor’s office’s ignorance regarding the involvement of all tribes in illegal activities such as the transportation of cartel products like guns and drugs. He highlighted the fact that these products pass over state highways to reach the reservation, emphasizing that it is unfair to generalize all tribes based on the actions of a few.
According to a spokesperson for Noem, banning the governor by the tribes does not resolve the issue.
According to The Hill, a spokesperson emphasized that removing Governor Noem from office does not address the issue at hand. Instead, the spokesperson urged tribal leaders to take action and expel the cartels from tribal lands.
Tensions between Native American tribes in South Dakota and Noem have been strained since she assumed office in 2019. However, her recent remarks have only intensified the animosity.
Accusations have been made by some tribes against Noem, who has been considered as a potential running mate for former President Trump. These tribes claim that Noem has made decisions with the intention of aiding Trump’s campaign efforts.
According to Alli Moran, the spokesperson for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, many tribes feel the same way about Noem. They believe that she lacks respect for and a complete understanding of tribal sovereignty.
Despite the bans, Noem stood by her comments and urged tribes to lend their support to her law enforcement initiatives last week.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has called on tribal leaders to take action against drug cartels operating on their lands. In a letter, she urged them to ban these criminal organizations and accept her offer to assist in restoring law and order while respecting their sovereignty. Governor Noem emphasized the need for partnerships, as she believes the Biden Administration has failed in its duty to address this issue effectively.
Noem has been facing a challenging political period in South Dakota, as she continues to engage in battles with tribes. This comes in addition to the criticism she has received for sharing a story about killing her dog in her recent memoir, titled “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.”
Noem stood her ground in response to criticism, asserting that her actions, as well as her openness about the incident, demonstrated her authenticity and her capacity to make tough decisions.
Many people are now questioning whether Noem is still being considered for the vice presidential position on Trump’s shortlist, following the negative news. However, Trump himself recently commented on Noem’s situation, stating, “We all have bad weeks.”
In an interview that aired on Tuesday, former President Trump expressed his admiration for Noem, stating, “I think she’s terrific.” He acknowledged that there have been some negative stories surrounding her, but he believes that these incidents can be explained. Trump specifically mentioned the controversial dog story, acknowledging that people from different parts of the country may have varying opinions on it. However, he recognized that it was a challenging situation for Noem.
According to the former president, it appeared that Noem was not solely responsible for the book’s contents.
According to President Trump, the person in question was previously performing exceptionally well. However, they recently faced a significant setback. Trump suggests that when it comes to writing books, sometimes you may not read them as thoroughly, especially if someone else has written them on your behalf. In this particular case, the ghostwriters didn’t provide much assistance.
