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 currently serving as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security since 2025. She is in the second Trump presidency.
2015: Comparison to Indiana Bill
In 2015, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar bill into law, resembling the 2021 religious refusal bill signed by Noem.
2015: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage
In 2015, Noem expressed her disagreement with the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
November 18, 2019: "Meth. We're on It" Campaign Launch
On November 18, 2019, Noem launched a meth awareness campaign called "Meth. We're on It", which faced widespread mockery and criticism due to its high cost ($449,000 of public funds) and the use of an out-of-state advertising agency.
2019: Veto of Hemp Legalization Bill
In 2019, Noem vetoed a bill that had passed the South Dakota House and Senate to legalize hemp cultivation, expressing concerns about undermining drug law enforcement.
April 9, 2020: Inspectors Allowed to Wear Masks with Permission
On April 9, 2020, the USDA announced that its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave the federal employees permission to do so, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2020: Peters Receives Agreed Disposition
Around April 2020, Kassidy Peters received an Agreed Disposition regarding her real estate appraisal application.
July 3, 2020: Mount Rushmore Event with Trump
On July 3, 2020, Noem did not mandate social distancing or masks at an event at Mount Rushmore with Trump present, despite health experts' warnings about large gatherings.
July 2020: Meeting Regarding Daughter's Appraisal License
In July 2020, after Noem's daughter was denied a real estate appraisal license, Noem summoned Sherry Bren to her office, along with her daughter, chief of staff, Department of Labor Attorney and Labor Secretary.
July 20, 2020: Peters Receives Letter Regarding Appraisal License Requirements
Around July 20, 2020, Kassidy Peters received a letter and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law when she failed to meet the requirements of the Agreed Disposition.
November 2020: Promotion of Tourism During COVID-19 Surge
In November 2020, Kristi Noem used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism in South Dakota during a surge in COVID-19 cases, without implementing mask mandates.
December 8, 2020: Acknowledgement of "Biden administration"
On December 8, 2020, Noem tacitly acknowledged the outcome of the election when she referred to a "Biden administration" during her annual state budget address.
December 2020: No Statewide Mandates
As of December 2020, Noem was among the few governors who had not maintained statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Opposition to Cannabis Legalization
In 2020, Noem opposed two ballot measures in South Dakota to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use. She argued that cannabis use is detrimental and would not improve communities.
January 6, 2021: Condemnation of Capitol Violence
After the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Noem condemned the violence, affirming the right to peaceful protest. She called the newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, "communists" in an op-ed for The Federalist.
March 8, 2021: Women's Fairness in Sports Bill
On March 8, 2021, Noem announced on Twitter that she would sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill, banning transgender athletes from women's sports teams. Critics worried about potential economic repercussions for the state.
September 2021: Affair Allegations
In September 2021, Noem faced allegations of an extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski, which she denied as a "disgusting lie".
September 22, 2021: Center for Public Integrity Lawsuit
On September 22, 2021, the Center for Public Integrity sued the South Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense to obtain documents about the deployment to the Texas border and the donation.
October 2021: Senate Committee Investigation
In October 2021, the State Senate's Government Operations and Audit Committee invited Hultman and Bren to discuss the appraisal program due to the controversy surrounding Noem, her daughter, and a $200,000 payout to Bren.
November 1, 2021: Government Accountability Board Sets Agenda
On November 1, 2021, the Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss issues based on complaints brought by Ravnsborg.
November 2021: Reported Spending on Governor's Mansion
In late November 2021, it was reported that Noem spent $68,000 of taxpayer dollars on imported rugs, chandeliers, and a sauna for the governor's mansion.
December 14, 2021: Bren's Testimony Before Government Operations and Audit Committee
On December 14, 2021, Bren testified before the Government Operations and Audit Committee regarding Kassidy Peters' real estate appraisal application and the process involved.
December 15, 2021: Government Accountability Board Refers Complaints
On December 15, 2021, the Government Accountability Board referred one complaint to Noem for a response and sent the other back to the complainant.
December 2021: Support for Fairness in Women's Sports Act
In December 2021, Noem and her office showed support for a bill aimed to require young athletes to join teams that align with their biological sex at birth.
2021: Signing of Religious Refusal Bill
In 2021, Noem signed a religious refusal bill into law that amended the state's RFRA, allowing business owners to deny services based on religious beliefs related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Critics said the legislation would enable discrimination.
January 21, 2022: "Prayer Bill" Defeated
On January 21, 2022, the "prayer bill", HB 1015, which sought to reintroduce prayer in schools, was defeated in the House Education Committee.
February 3, 2022: Government Accountability Board Refers Second Complaint
On February 3, 2022, the Government Accountability Board referred the second complaint to Noem for a response, setting a deadline for her to answer both pending complaints.
February 24, 2022: Introduction of House Resolution 7004
On February 24, 2022, Republican State Representative John Mills introduced House Resolution 7004 against Noem, addressing "the Governor's unacceptable actions in matters related to the appraiser certification program".
March 14, 2022: Bawek Files Lawsuit
On March 14, 2022, Stephany Bawek filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired for reporting sexual harassment in the workplace.
April 15, 2022: Deadline for Noem to Answer Complaints
April 15, 2022, was the deadline set by the Government Accountability Board for Noem to respond to both pending complaints against her.
December 2022: TikTok Ban on State Devices
In December 2022, Kristi Noem issued an executive order banning TikTok from state-owned devices, citing concerns that the Chinese Communist Party uses the platform to manipulate Americans and gather data.
September 2023: Renewed Affair Allegations
In September 2023, similar reports about Noem and Lewandowski were published by the New York Post and the Daily Mail, which Noem's spokesman denied.
January 2024: "Freedom for Life Year" Proclamation
In January 2024, Kristi Noem proclaimed 2024 the "Freedom for Life Year", promoting anti-abortion laws.
January 2024: Noem's Border and Cartel Comments
In January 2024, Noem claimed an "invasion is coming over the southern border" and alleged that Mexican drug cartels are using reservations to spread drugs throughout the Midwest.
March 2024: Noem's Claims About Tribal Leaders and Reservations
In March 2024, Noem claimed some tribal leaders are "personally benefiting from the cartels" and that people on reservations are scared and living with high unemployment, but she provided no evidence.
March 2024: Promotion of Cosmetic Dentist
In March 2024, Noem shared a video promoting a cosmetic dentist business, citing her experience with them after losing her front teeth in a biking accident years before.
April 2024: Controversy over Dog Killing in Autobiography
In April 2024, pre-release excerpts of Noem's autobiography, No Going Back, sparked widespread controversy after she recounted shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, and a goat.
April 2024: Diminished Odds of Being Trump's Running Mate
In April 2024, sources indicated that Noem's chances of being selected as Trump's running mate had decreased due to her abortion stance and the revelation about killing her dog and goat in her book.
April 21, 2024: Reversal on Federal Abortion Ban Support
On April 21, 2024, Kristi Noem announced that she had reversed her support for a federal ban on abortion, advocating for state-level determination.
2024: Tribal Bans Against Noem
In 2024, all nine tribes of South Dakota reportedly banned Noem from entering tribal lands after she made controversial comments about them.
January 28, 2025: Leading Raid on Illegal Immigrants
In the early morning of January 28, 2025, Noem led a raid on illegal immigrants in New York City with federal law enforcement agencies.
2025: Imagining Presidential Actions
In 2025, Noem imagined herself becoming president and expressed a desire to remove Joe Biden's dog, Commander, from the White House grounds, suggesting the dog be killed. The idea arose after Commander had bitten multiple individuals.
