Dear MoveOn member,
Even in this highly polarized moment of time, people across political lines can agree: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem crossed the line when she killed her family puppy.1 In a shocking and disgusting disclosure in her new book, the MAGA politician thought she would win over her most far-right base with a story about how she killed her 14-month-old dog Cricket, stating that she "hated that dog" and describing the dog as "less than worthless."2 The horrifying remarks backfired, with backlash from politicians, dog behaviorists, and the general public.
The statute of limitations for crimes like animal cruelty is seven years and therefore has likely passed since the described incident.3 That doesn't mean her actions should go without consequences. Noem was a hopeful Donald Trump vice presidential candidate, a long shot now with this latest controversy. But a remorseless animal abuser has no role serving in one of the highest elected state positions.
Add your name to call on Gov. Kristi Noem to step down IMMEDIATELY as governor!
Noem has made it clear that she will stop at nothing to win over her most extreme base of MAGA followers. She has a 100% anti-abortion voting record, defending the state's restrictive abortion ban that doesn’t even allow exceptions for incest and rape.4 Her abhorrent comments and racist dog whistles about immigrants have caused her to even be banned by the Oglala Sioux Tribe from stepping foot onto a reservation in her own state.5 Noem has shown a lack of empathy and compassion her entire duration as an elected official. Heartlessly killing her family dog just confirms what we already know—she's unfit to be governor.
Even people in her own political party have criticized Noem for her judgment in detailing how she unapologetically killed her family puppy.6 But since she was elected as governor in 2018, she has demonstrated questionable judgment. In 2020, the South Dakota Government Operations and Audit Committee found that Noem interfered with her daughter's real estate appraiser's license, going so far as to have a private meeting with the agency director at the time to help her daughter pass the certification despite failing twice.7 And she also sparked controversy after she used the state plane to go to right-wing events and parties—and possibly personal engagements.8,9 Noem thinks that rules shouldn't apply to her. Together, we can remind her that they do.
Thanks for all you do.
–Aliya, Isbah, Jensine, Mona, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Kristi Noem dogged by poor polling amid fallout from tale of killing puppy," The Guardian, April 28, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/191317?t=8&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
2. "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem defends killing her 'less than worthless' puppy: 'I hated that dog,'" CBS7, May 1, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/191318?t=10&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
3. "Kristi Noem: I Didn't Break The Law When I Killed Our Dog," Forbes, April 29, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/191319?t=12&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
4. "South Dakota governor defends state's abortion 'trigger' ban when asked if 10-year-old should be forced to give birth," CNN, July 4, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/191321?t=14&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
5. "Kristi Noem banned from South Dakota reservation over immigration remarks," Axios, February 4, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/191322?t=16&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
6. "'That was rough': Steve Bannon, Donald Trump Jr. criticize Kristi Noem for killing her dog," USA Today, April 30, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/191323?t=18&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
7. "South Dakota report: Noem's daughter got special treatment," Associated Press, May 18, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/191324?t=20&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
8. "Kristi Noem Under Scrutiny for Using State Plane to Fly to NRA, Turning Points Meet-Ups," The Daily Beast, February 26, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/191325?t=22&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
9. "South Dakota prosecutor: No charges for Noem's airplane use," Associated Press, October 25, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/191326?t=24&akid=388207%2E40999114%2EqeMSTl
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