How can you be the governor of a state when you cannot even travel on 20 percent of the lands you are supposed to be governing?
That is the situation that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem now finds herself in.
Two more Native American tribes have banned Noem, bringing the total to six of the nine tribes in the state.
Not Wanted
Noem has made several comments that got her in hot water with the tribes.
Noem has been looking to deflect border issues to the tribes.
For instance, earlier this year, she stated, “We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there, and that’s why they attack me every day.
“But I’m going to fight for the people who actually live in those situations, who call me and text me every day and say, ‘Please, dear governor, please come help us in Pine Ridge. We are scared.’”
Then, this month, she posted on X, “Tribal leaders should take action to ban the cartels from their lands and accept my offer to help them restore law and order to their communities while protecting their sovereignty.”
Now she has been banned by the Yankton Sioux, Sisseton-Wahpeton Ovate, and the Oglala, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux
Together, their tribal lands account for 20 percent of the state’s territory, so this is clearly not a good situation for Noem.
This is truly a sad fall from grace.
It was not that long ago that Noem was considered a real threat for the 2028 presidency, but now her career is likely over once she leaves the governor’s mansion.