Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota, has sharply criticized Democratic governors who have committed to opposing President-elect Trump’s immigration policies.
She expressed that their refusal to engage with the incoming administration is highly irresponsible, suggesting that they should instead open lines of communication.
In an interview on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, Noem emphasized that if she were in a similar position, she would prioritize reaching out to the new president, regardless of party affiliation, to explore possible collaboration.
Noem urges bipartisan cooperation instead of opposition to Trump’s policies
Noem further dismissed the early pushback from Democratic leaders such as Illinois’ JB Pritzker and California’s Gavin Newsom. She deemed their opposition “immature” and unproductive in the wake of Trump’s electoral victory.
Newsom, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, announced plans to convene a special session in California aimed at securing the state’s progressive policies on issues like climate change, reproductive rights, and immigration.
This move followed Trump’s win over Vice President Harris and signals a continuation of the state’s resistance to conservative policies, a stance that began during Trump’s first term in office.
This California initiative is part of a broader trend among Democratic officials nationwide, who are seeking to protect policies that could be threatened by the Trump administration’s return to power.
Regarding her own potential role in Trump’s cabinet, Noem sidestepped speculation that she might be nominated for Interior Secretary. She acknowledged that the decision would be made by President Trump while reiterating her passion for serving as governor of South Dakota.
Noem also expressed her support for the Justice Department’s decision to halt investigations into Trump, calling it a “positive first step” toward restoring confidence in the federal legal system. She further noted that Trump had assured her that he would not pursue politically motivated prosecutions once in office.
In a Wall Street Journal article published Thursday, Noem was mentioned as a possible candidate for the position of Interior Secretary, with her name being the only one linked to the role.
If she were to be chosen and confirmed, she would succeed Deb Haaland, who made history as the first Native American to hold a cabinet position. Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, served as Interior Secretary under the Biden administration.
The U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for managing federal relations with tribal governments, including oversight of agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education. Noem has had a mixed record when it comes to her relationship with tribal governments in South Dakota.
She has taken steps to support tribes, such as providing emergency aid following flooding in 2019 and relocating the state Office of Indian Education to the Department of Tribal Affairs. However, she has also encountered opposition, with some reservations placing restrictions on her visits.
Trump’s campaign promise to relocate thousands of federal employees to more conservative states could also benefit South Dakota. In the most recent election, Trump decisively won South Dakota, securing 272,000 votes, compared to 146,837 votes for Harris. His margin of victory, at 63%, was slightly higher than the 62% he received in both 2020 and 2016.
