Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kristi Noem

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Kristi Noem.

Kristi Noem is an American politician who has served as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security since 2025. A Republican, she previously served as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025. Prior to her governorship, Noem represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Her career has been marked by roles in both the executive and legislative branches of government.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 2010: Opposed embryonic stem-cell research

In August 2010, while running for Congress, Kristi Noem indicated that she would vote to ban embryonic stem-cell research.

March 2011: Critical of Obama's Approach to Libyan Intervention

In March 2011, Kristi Noem was critical of President Barack Obama's approach to the NATO-led military intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war.

2011: Sponsored measure to block EPA funding

In 2011, Kristi Noem sponsored a measure to block Environmental Protection Agency funding for tighter air pollution standards for coarse particulates.

2015: Co-sponsored Bill on Abortion

In 2015, Kristi Noem co-sponsored a bill to amend the 14th Amendment to define human life and personhood as beginning at fertilization, federally banning abortion from the moment of fertilization.

2015: Co-sponsored legislation on personhood

In 2015, Kristi Noem co-sponsored legislation to amend the 14th Amendment to define human life and personhood as beginning at the moment of fertilization.

2015: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

In 2015, Kristi Noem publicly expressed her opposition to same-sex marriage, disagreeing with the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

2017: Supported Trump's Executive Order 13769

In 2017, Kristi Noem supported President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, which suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and banned all travel to the U.S. by nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.

November 18, 2019: Launch of 'Meth. We're on It' Campaign

On November 18, 2019, Kristi Noem launched the "Meth. We're on It" meth awareness campaign. It was widely mocked, and Noem faced criticism for spending $449,000 of public funds on an out-of-state advertising agency. She defended the campaign's success in raising awareness.

2019: Signed Anti-Protest Legislation

In 2019, Kristi Noem signed anti-protest legislation developed in collaboration with TransCanada Corporation in response to protests against the Keystone Pipeline.

2019: Signed Abortion Restriction Bills

In 2019, Kristi Noem signed bills restricting abortion, saying they would "crack down on abortion providers in South Dakota".

2019: Veto of Hemp Legalization Bill

In 2019, Kristi Noem vetoed a bill passed by the South Dakota House and Senate to legalize hemp cultivation, citing concerns that it would undermine drug law enforcement and lead to marijuana legalization.

April 9, 2020: Inspectors allowed to wear masks with permission

On April 9, 2020, the Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave permission. Inspectors were expected to supply their own masks. This occurred during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 13, 2020: Noem comments on Smithfield outbreak

On April 13, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at a Smithfield pork plant, Kristi Noem told Fox News, "We believe that 99 percent of what's going on today wasn't happening inside the facility". This statement came as hundreds of workers had tested positive at the plant, downplaying the spread within the workplace.

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April 2020: Peters receives an Agreed Disposition

Around March/April 2020, Kassidy Peters received an Agreed Disposition concerning her application for a real estate appraisal license. This event is part of the timeline investigated by the Government Operations and Audit Committee regarding potential influence by Governor Noem.

July 3, 2020: Noem attends Mount Rushmore event without mask mandates

On July 3, 2020, Kristi Noem did not mandate social distancing or the wearing of face masks at an event at Mount Rushmore with then-President Trump present. Health experts warned about the risks of large gatherings without precautions. Noem publicly doubted the usefulness of masks, citing analysis by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

July 20, 2020: Peters receives a letter for failing to meet requirements

Around July 20, 2020, Kassidy Peters received a letter and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law after she failed to meet the requirements of the Agreed Disposition. This was in relation to her application for a real estate appraisal license, adding to the controversy surrounding the matter.

October 22, 2020: COVID-19 hospitalizations reach record high

On October 22, 2020, COVID-19 patients hospitalized in South Dakota reached a record high of 355, including 75 in Intensive Care Units. This surge occurred after the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, in which Noem participated. Hospital systems rescheduled elective procedures to accommodate the increase in patients.

November 2020: Noem promotes tourism using pandemic relief funds

In November 2020, during a surge in COVID-19 cases in South Dakota, Kristi Noem used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism. She did not implement face mask mandates, raised doubts about the efficacy of mask-wearing, encouraged large gatherings without social distancing or mask-wearing, and questioned public health experts' advice.

December 2020: Noem avoids statewide mandates amid COVID-19

As of December 2020, Kristi Noem was one of the few governors who had not maintained statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her approach mirrored Trump's rhetoric and handling of the pandemic.

2020: Opposition to Cannabis Legalization

In 2020, Kristi Noem opposed ballot measures to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use in South Dakota. After both measures passed, she and two police officers filed a lawsuit challenging the recreational use measure, Amendment A.

2020: Noem's involvement in daughter's real estate appraisal license denial

In 2020, after Kristi Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, was denied a real estate appraisal license, Noem summoned Sherry Bren, the director of South Dakota's Appraiser Certification Program, to her office. The meeting included Peters and other officials. This event sparked controversy and accusations of using her position to influence the licensing process.

2020: Legislation to Repeal Sections of Previous Bill

In 2020, after a federal court struck down sections of the legislation as unconstitutional, Kristi Noem brought legislation to repeal sections of the previous bill and clarify the definition of "incitement to riot".

2020: COVID-19 outbreak at Smithfield Foods plant

In early 2020, one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S. occurred in South Dakota at the Smithfield Foods production plant in Sioux Falls. The outbreak resulted in four deaths, with nearly 1,300 workers and their family members testing positive. Noem publicly echoed the misinformation that the spread was not happening at work but rather in the workers "home and social" habits.

2020: Noem opts out of federal unemployment benefits

Sixteen weeks after Trump's 2020 executive order that provided enhanced weekly unemployment benefits of $300, Kristi Noem opted out of the program, citing a low state unemployment rate. South Dakota was the only state to refuse the assistance, even though its jobless rate was up from March.

January 6, 2021: Response to Capitol Attack

After the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Kristi Noem condemned the violence. The following day, she referred to newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia as "communists", prompting criticism.

March 8, 2021: Announcement of Women's Fairness in Sports Bill

On March 8, 2021, Kristi Noem announced on Twitter that she would sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill, which bans transgender athletes from women's sports teams. Critics expressed concerns about potential economic repercussions.

July 2021: Changes in Department of Corrections leadership

In July 2021, Kristi Noem placed Secretary of the Department of Corrections Mike Liedholt on administrative leave and fired South Dakota State Penitentiary Warden Darin Young and Deputy Warden Jennifer Dreiske. This followed an anonymous note with complaints regarding pay, medical coverage, and instances of sexual harassment. Liedholt later announced his retirement.

August 2021: Review of Department of Corrections operations

In August 2021, Kristi Noem announced that the CGL Group, a California-based company, was hired for $166,410 to comprehensively review the Department of Corrections operations. At the same time, the director of the prison work program was fired, and two other DOC employees were relieved of their duties.

September 2021: Extramarital Affair Allegations

In September 2021, American Greatness reported that Kristi Noem was having an affair with Corey Lewandowski. Noem denied the allegations, calling them a "disgusting lie" and an attack on conservative women.

September 22, 2021: Lawsuit filed to obtain documents about National Guard deployment

On September 22, 2021, the Center for Public Integrity sued the South Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense in federal district court in the District of Columbia to obtain documents about the deployment of National Guard members to Texas's border with Mexico and the donation that funded it.

October 2021: Committee investigates appraisal program

In October 2021, the State Senate's Government Operations and Audit Committee invited Marcia Hultman and Sherry Bren to discuss the appraisal program in light of the controversy surrounding Kassidy Peters' real estate appraisal license denial. This investigation was prompted by an Associated Press story about the incident.

November 1, 2021: Government Accountability Board sets agenda to discuss complaints

On November 1, 2021, the Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss the issue regarding Noem's involvement in her daughter's real estate appraisal license denial and another issue based on complaints brought by Ravnsborg.

November 2021: Spending on Governor's Mansion

In late November 2021, reports surfaced that Kristi Noem spent $68,000 of taxpayer money on imported rugs from India, chandeliers, and a sauna for the governor's mansion.

December 14, 2021: Bren testifies before Government Operations and Audit Committee

On December 14, 2021, Sherry Bren testified before the Government Operations and Audit Committee regarding Kassidy Peters' real estate appraisal license denial. Bren stated that Peters received an Agreed Disposition around March/April 2020 and later a letter on July 20, 2020, for failing to meet the Agreed Disposition requirements.

December 15, 2021: Board refers complaint to Noem for response

On December 15, 2021, the Government Accountability Board referred one of the two complaints against Noem to her for a response and sent the other back to the complainant for further information. This action was part of the investigation into alleged misconduct.

2021: Signing of Religious Refusal Bill

In 2021, Kristi Noem signed a religious refusal bill into law, amending the state RFRA to allow business owners to deny products or services based on religious beliefs related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Civil rights groups criticized S.B. 124, citing potential discrimination.

2021: Lawsuit over Mount Rushmore Fireworks

In 2021, Kristi Noem sued U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to reinstate fireworks at Mount Rushmore for Independence Day, which had been halted in 2009 due to fire risks. The U.S. District Court dismissed the suit, but Noem filed an appeal on July 13.

January 21, 2022: "Prayer Bill" Defeated in Committee

On January 21, 2022, the "prayer bill", HB 1015, which sought to have prayer put back in school, was defeated in the House Education Committee by a vote of 9–6.

February 3, 2022: Board refers second complaint to Noem

On February 3, 2022, the Government Accountability Board referred the second complaint against Kristi Noem to her for a response, giving her until April 15, 2022, to answer both pending complaints. These actions related to investigations into potential misconduct.

February 24, 2022: House Resolution 7004 introduced against Noem

On February 24, 2022, Republican State Representative John Mills introduced House Resolution 7004, "Addressing the Governor's unacceptable actions in matters related to the appraiser certification program", against Kristi Noem. This resolution was a formal challenge to her actions regarding her daughter's real estate appraisal license denial.

March 14, 2022: Bawek files lawsuit alleging retaliation

On March 14, 2022, Stephany Bawek, the former prison work program director, filed a lawsuit in federal district court alleging that she was fired for reporting incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace. This followed her complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claiming retaliation.

April 15, 2022: Deadline for Noem to respond to complaints

April 15, 2022, was the deadline for Kristi Noem to respond to both pending complaints referred to her by the Government Accountability Board. These complaints were part of ongoing investigations into her conduct.

2022: Banning TikTok from state-owned devices

In 2022, Kristi Noem issued an order banning TikTok from state-owned devices, citing concerns that the Chinese Communist Party uses the information gathered on TikTok to manipulate the American people. This action reflects her stance against China and efforts to protect user data on state-owned devices.

2022: RV Park Proposal in Custer State Park

In 2022, Kristi Noem proposed locating a government-paid RV park in Custer State Park, but it faced significant opposition and was effectively killed by the House Agricultural and Natural Resources committee.

2022: Climate Change Denial

In 2022, Kristi Noem stated she believes the science on climate change has been varied and that it hasn't been proven to her that human actions are affecting the climate.

September 2023: Renewed Affair Allegations

In September 2023, the New York Post and the Daily Mail published similar reports about Noem and Lewandowski. Noem's spokesman denied the allegations.

2023: Prohibiting Tencent applications on state-owned devices

In 2023, Kristi Noem signed an order prohibiting the downloading or use of any application or visiting of any site owned by the Chinese company Tencent, including WeChat, on state-owned devices. This was part of her continued effort to safeguard against perceived threats from Chinese technology companies.

January 2024: Noem comments on southern border and drug cartels

In January 2024, Kristi Noem stated that an "invasion is coming over the southern border" of the United States and that "the enemy is the Mexican drug cartels", which are "perpetrating violence in each of our states, even here in South Dakota ... The cartels are using our reservations to facilitate the spread of drugs throughout the Midwest." These comments contributed to the tensions with tribal leaders.

March 2024: Promotion of Smile Texas

In March 2024, Kristi Noem promoted a cosmetic dentist business, Smile Texas, in a video, identifying herself as the South Dakota governor and stating that the business helped her after she lost her front teeth. This has made her an example of the "Mar-a-Lago face" trend among conservative women.

March 2024: Noem alleges tribal leaders benefit from cartels

In March 2024, Kristi Noem said that there were "some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there", without providing any evidence. She also claimed to receive calls and texts from people on reservations expressing fear and requesting help, citing high unemployment rates and lack of parental support. These statements exacerbated the conflict with tribal nations.

April 2024: Reversed support for federal ban on abortion

In April 2024, Kristi Noem reversed her support for a federal ban on abortion, supporting state control and South Dakota's law.

April 2024: Controversy over "No Going Back" Excerpts

In April 2024, pre-release excerpts from Kristi Noem's autobiography, "No Going Back", received criticism. She recounted shooting her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket, and her family's male goat, because she deemed Cricket "untrainable" and the goat "disgusting".

No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward

Check it on Amazon

2024: Published Autobiography: No Going Back

In 2024, Kristi Noem published her autobiography, "No Going Back" by Kristi Noem, which sparked controversy.

No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward

Check it on Amazon

2024: Prohibiting land purchase by foreign governments

In 2024, Kristi Noem signed a bill prohibiting the governments of six countries—China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela—and entities from those countries from buying agricultural land in South Dakota. This action was aimed at protecting the state's agricultural resources from foreign influence.

2024: Tribes ban Noem from tribal lands

In 2024, all nine tribes of South Dakota reportedly banned Kristi Noem from entering any tribal lands, effectively prohibiting her from almost 20% of South Dakota. However, reports also indicated that the Yankton Sioux tribe had not officially banned Noem, leading to conflicting information in the media.

January 28, 2025: Immigration Raid Led by Noem

In the early morning of January 28, 2025, Kristi Noem led a raid on illegal immigrants in New York City, involving multiple federal law enforcement agencies. Her department shared a video of the raid on X.

March 2025: Revocation of Legal Protections

In March 2025, Kristi Noem revoked legal protections for 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who had settled in the U.S. since 2022.

April 2025: Report on False Social Security Listings

In April 2025, The Washington Post reported that Kristi Noem and Leland Dudek instructed the Social Security Administration to falsely list over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased in its database.

April 20, 2025: Purse Theft Incident

On the evening of April 20, 2025, Kristi Noem's purse was stolen from a D.C. burger restaurant, containing her government access badge, apartment keys, $2,000-3,000 in cash, passport, and blank checks.

2025: Imagining Presidency and Commander's Fate

In 2025, in her memoir, Noem imagined becoming president and suggested Joe Biden's dog, Commander, be killed, referencing her earlier killing of her own dog Cricket. This came after Commander had a history of biting Secret Service agents.