Gov. Noem says the influx of migrants across the southern border is making every state in the US a “border state.” She said the state stands ready to send razor wire and national guard troops to help Texas with the crisis.
Noem alleges cartel affiliates, including a group known as the “Ghost Dancers” are hiding in South Dakota’s reservations.
“The fact of the matter is we know these gangs and this violence is there, and people don’t talk about it, but it needs to be a truthful conversation on what can we do to work together better to make sure people are safe and that we really do have law and order,” Noem said.
Ghost Dancers are a support group of the Bandito Motorcycle Club.
Some take issue with the use of the group in the speech, including both Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out and Pine Ridge Democratic state Rep. Peri Pourier.
Pourier said Noem is using the issues faced by the tribe as a platform for national political ambitions.
"Are we trying to deal with it? Absolutely," Pourier said. "Are we under resourced? Absolutely. I wish that was a part of her speech. Not gangs and cartels and ghost dancers. Create a big boogeyman that doesn’t exist. We have real issues, we have economic development issues. To go this far on this platform is disrespectful.”
Some political observers see Noem as a strong potential vice-presidential pick for the 2024 Trump campaign. Noem did meet with Pourier following the speech, and says she is interested in improving the relationship between state government and the tribes.
In a statement, President Star Comes Out says Noem’s speech is an effort to frame the situation at the border as a Republican crisis to reelect former President Donald Trump. Star Comes Out calls for a bipartisan solution.
As a result, Star Comes Out formally banned Noem from the Pine Ridge Reservation. This is the second time Noem has been barred by the tribe.
She was banned in 2019 for pushing a legislative package to aid Keystone XL oil pipeline construction.