Ahead of Kristi Noem’s nomination hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller released the following statement along with three questions Noem must answer:
“Kristi Noem’s tenure as Governor of South Dakota has been plagued by scandals over misuse of taxpayer dollars and giving special treatment to her family and political allies. The American people need firm assurances in her nomination hearing that she will uphold the law and not use taxpayer dollars as her own personal piggy bank.”
Three Questions for Secretary of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem:
- What safeguards will Noem put in place to maintain good stewardship of tax dollars to avoid a recurrence of the scandals that plagued her in South Dakota?
- Noem improperly used the state plane to fly to political events as Governor.
- Noem spent $130,000 of state money on a TV studio to appear on Fox News.
- Additionally, Noem spent $68,000 on furnishings for the Governor’s mansion, including installing a sauna and other lifestyle improvements.
- What assurances can Noem give that she won’t use her power for special treatment for family or political allies?
- Noem personally intervened to get her daughter an appraiser license, calling a meeting with the person who moved to deny her daughter’s license and that person’s direct supervisor; Noem even brought her daughter to the meeting with those government employees. A Committee in the Republican dominated state legislature unanimously issued a report noting that Noem’s daughter got preferential treatment.
- What role will scandal-plagued Corey Lewandowski play at the Department of Homeland Security? What role has he played with the transition?
- Lewandowski was previously an adviser to Noem until the Governor severed ties with him after he was accused of sexually assaulting a Republican donor. Lewandowski has also previously been accused of sexual assault by a pro-Trump singer.
- Lewandowski reunited with Noem shortly thereafter during her 2022 reelection campaign.
- Lewandowski reportedly has been helping Noem prepare for her role at the Department of Homeland Security.
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