Kristi Noem's tenure as governor of South Dakota has been heavily criticised by a former local mayor, who said she 'did a Sarah Palin and quit' just days after being fired as Homeland Security secretary. Mike Levsen, former mayor of Aberdeen, described her six-year governorship as lacking significant accomplishment, with minimal legislative involvement, frequent absences, and self-dealing.
Levsen highlighted Noem's COVID-era ad campaign 'Freedom Works Here' as a costly $6.5 million ploy that contributed to South Dakota's high per capita death rates. He also noted her difficult relationship with tribal governments, as all nine indigenous tribes voted to ban her from their lands in 2024.
Noem was fired by President Trump amid scrutiny over DHS's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. She faced criticism for purchasing luxury jets, a $220 million ad campaign, gutting FEMA, and rumours of an affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski.
An administration official cited 'a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures' as the reason for her dismissal. Despite this, Trump later named Noem as special envoy for 'The Shield of the Americas' security initiative.
