Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Noem calls joint session of legislature to discuss southern border

Gov. Kristi Noem meets with South Dakota National Guard members deployed to the U.S.-Mexico Border.
Gov. Kristi Noem's Office
Gov. Kristi Noem meets with South Dakota National Guard members deployed to the U.S.-Mexico Border during a visit in September of 2023 (file)

Gov. Kristi Noem is calling a joint session of the state legislature to brief lawmakers on the US southern border in Texas.

The session will take place on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.

The second-term Republican governor went to border last week. She called it a “war zone.”

Noem has deployed the South Dakota national guard to Texas three times. She’s talked about sending razor wire to the region.

During an appearance on CNN, Noem was asked about whether she’s concerned about clashes between state national guards and federal forces at the border.

“There could be a violent situation, but there could also be areas where we need to take legal action as governors to protect our states,” Noem said. “I’m willing to put all of that on the table to make sure that we’re protecting the freedoms that we’ve always had since this country was founded.”

Bipartisan legislation getting negotiated in the US Senate is stalled following Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call to reject the deal. Noem called the immigration deal a “poison pill.”

Noem has endorsed Trump for president and is considered in the running for his vice-presidential pick.

Wednesday's address will be broadcast live on SDPB2 World Channel, on SD.net and the SDNet app.

Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based news and political reporter. A former reporter for Fort Lupton Press (CO) and Colorado Public Radio, Lee holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.