You know, we’re so politically divided in this country, I feel it’s incumbent upon me to search for ways to bring us together. But how can we unite Republicans, with their deep commitment to discerning the central principles of the ordinary American and then selling them out to the first corporate lobbyist who offers them a Rolex and a campaign contribution, and the Democrats, with their bottomless creativity in inventing beautiful ideals like equity, social justice and women’s rights in order to legitimize racism, looting and infanticide?
Well, I thought about it, and after long hours of serious cogitation and enough alcohol to make an elephant think he’s a gazelle with cellulite, I finally realized that there is one thing that brings both Republicans and Democrats together, and that’s their abiding love of sexual degradation.
In the Southern California city of Burbank, for instance, the Democrat mayor Konstantine Anthony recently had himself filmed getting spanked by a drag queen. Although conservatives mocked the mayor for… well, for getting spanked by a drag queen, Konstantine defended his actions. In a speech delivered to a bathroom mirror with a towel thrown over it so he wouldn’t have to look at his own face, the mayor said, “No matter what anyone says, today is a great day for emasculating sexual perversion. By having my butt paddled by a man dressed as a woman, I have made the historic breakthrough of participating in the 17-thousand five hundred and fifty-sixth act of sexual deviance committed in Burbank in the last hour and a half.”
On the Republican side, the New York Post reports that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been having a long-time affair with repulsive Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski. Noem, a married mother of three who frequently cites her Christian values, absolutely denies the affair, saying the tryst would be a clear violation of the Biblical commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery with repulsive Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski.” Even if the story is true, some conservatives defend Noem, saying hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue. But, of course, that quote comes from a Frenchman, so it only sounds good, and only in French. In fact, the tribute vice pays to virtue is a stiff fine and possible imprisonment.
Now since the Democrat party has sacrificed so many unborn children on the altar of hedonistic sex that the demon God Moloch has volunteered to head the DNC, it seems petty to pick on Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert for her relatively minor improprieties. After all, if a grown woman wants to get drunk and vape and sing out loud and grope her lover’s crotch while he grabs her breast during a live performance of a family-friendly musical and then lie about it, that shouldn’t affect our perception of her character unless we happen to be trying to watch the damn play. But the incident did leave Boebert open to political attacks from Democrats, who were quick to point out that such a person could never be a Democrat woman because she doesn’t have a penis.
So all in all, one thing has become very clear. It’s become very clear why I have no friends who are politicians. First of all, I never cheat on my wife so where would I meet them? Also, because I say stuff like this.
But the real question is: Does it truly matter that Republicans are so sexually depraved that they don’t practice what they preach and Democrats are so sexually depraved that they actually do practice what they preach? I mean, the elites of the Roman Empire were so steeped in sexual debauchery that I still think about the Roman Empire every single day. Isn’t it more important that, no matter how many issues divide them, our leaders can still share their personal values of getting spanked by drag queens and cheating on their spouses? Isn’t that what our founding fathers intended when they talked about the pursuit of happiness?
Okay, probably not. But still — what difference does it make if our leaders are a bunch of perverted, dishonest, unreliable deviants who betray every reasonable notion of decency in order to get their rocks off — as long as they’re doing such a great job running our country?
I think that’s a question that answers itself.
Andrew Klavan is the host of “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-andrew-klavan-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Andrew Klavan Show</a>” at The Daily Wire. He is an award-winning novelist, Hollywood screenwriter, and popular satirist. Klavan is the author of “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Christmas-Comes-Andrew-Klavan/dp/1613162405/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_2/132-9473875-2662038?pd_rd_w=x29DZ&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&amp;pf_rd_p=26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&amp;pf_rd_r=X7J7YCZYPAH29407AXTY&amp;pd_rd_wg=M65Ef&amp;pd_rd_r=c2bb5bb5-dd27-434d-9ca1-f2098f486a81&amp;pd_rd_i=1613162405&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When Christmas Comes</a>” and “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Habit-Mind-Cameron-Mysteries/dp/1613163517/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/132-9473875-2662038?pd_rd_w=lnVGk&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&amp;pf_rd_p=26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&amp;pf_rd_r=13RV0285EXYKN2D57RST&amp;pd_rd_wg=jW34u&amp;pd_rd_r=e0bb3c70-62ea-4448-8be5-a7cf1bba3f5e&amp;pd_rd_i=1613163517&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strange Habit of Mind,</a>” the first two novels in the USA Today best-selling Cameron Winter Mystery series. The third installment, “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Death-Cameron-Winter-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BW1ZTVP9?ref_=ast_author_dp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The House of Love and Death</a>,” releases on October 31, 2023, and is now available for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Death-Cameron-Winter-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BW1ZTVP9?ref_=ast_author_dp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pre-order</a>.
Follow Klavan on Twitter: @andrewklavan
This excerpt is taken from the opening satirical monologue of “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-1149-the-dark-art-of-shut-uppery-member-exclusive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Andrew Klavan Show</a>.”
The views expressed in this satirical article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Capitol Hill Prepares Ahead Of Full House Vote On Impeachment Articles This Week

There’s One Thing That Brings Republicans And Democrats Together: Their Abiding Love Of Sexual Degradation

Andrew Klavan

Democrats

Kristi Noem

Lauren Boebert

Readers Pass

Republicans

Satire

South Dakota Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> endorsed former President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> for president on Friday at a joint rally in Rapid City.
Reports of the Republican governor&#8217;s endorsement have <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/08/kristi-noem-veepstakes-00114586" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fueled</a> speculation that Noem may be in the running as a potential vice presidential pick for Trump should he win the Republican nomination for president in 2024. Noem, who received national attention for her handling of the COVID pandemic, touted her record and Trump&#8217;s before calling on Republicans to support him for president in 2024.
&#8220;It is my honor to present to you the man in the arena. He is a man of significance. He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs. He has my full and complete endorsement for President of the United States of America. I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country,&#8221; Noem <a href="https://rumble.com/v3fnvme-live-president-donald-j.-trump-visits-rapid-city-south-dakota-sept.-8-2023.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, before introducing Trump as the &#8220;45th and the 47th President of the United States.&#8221;
Noem touted Trump&#8217;s record on immigration and foreign policy, and she credited Trump for a loose hand on directing state action during the pandemic.
&#8220;Now, South Dakota, we focused on the facts. I respected my oaths to the United States&#8217; and the South Dakota constitutions. I respected our freedom, and I respected our people. Now, if Joe Biden had been president, he would have tried to stop me from protecting you. Thank God President Trump was in the White House at the time,&#8221; Noem said.
Noem exhibited a relatively light touch during the pandemic. She <a href="https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2021/03/02/how-governor-kristi-noem-handled-covid-19-south-dakota/6876347002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> limited stay-at-home orders to people with co-morbidities and those 65 years and older, and she publicly pressured some businesses, events, and schools to close down. She refrained from enacting the sweeping, heavy-handed mandates that were common in other states, however.
Trump took the stage after Noem, saying he was &#8220;very honored&#8221; to receive her endorsement. &#8220;I get endorsements, some good, some bad. I get endorsements that don&#8217;t mean anything. Her&#8217;s means a lot, let me tell you,&#8221; Trump said.

Kristi Noem, Donald Trump

Kristi Noem Endorses Trump In Joint South Dakota Rally: ‘A Man Of Significance’

2024 Primaries

Donald Trump

Elections

Politics

South Dakota

Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/subject-to-felony-prosecution-gov-kristi-noem-warns-south-dakota-pharmacists-against-dispensing-abortion-pills" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> (R-SD) praised country music star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jason-aldean-responds-to-backlash-over-new-music-video-that-slams-leftist-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Aldean</a> for his new song, &#8220;Try That In a Small Town,&#8221; even going so far as to offer the governor&#8217;s mansion as a potential concert venue.
Noem explained that she had been a fan of the song since before it garnered controversy, and said that she had even hoped that the video for it would be shot in South Dakota — where she said the people shared the same values that Aldean had been singing about.
WATCH:
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My thoughts on “Try that in a Small Town”…. <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason_Aldean?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jason_Aldean</a> <a href="https://t.co/umJ8qFvy2o">pic.twitter.com/umJ8qFvy2o</a>
&mdash; Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1681656212499079172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I was thinking about something I posted on my social media on May 24th,&#8221; Noem began. &#8220;It was about a new song that had just been released that my friend Neil Thrasher helped write. &#8230; It was by Jason Aldean, and I was so impressed with the song because it talked about the value of small towns and how we have our priorities right.&#8221;
Noem went on to say that she had even said at the time that the video should be shot in South Dakota because she believed the people of her state embodied the values embraced in the song.
&#8220;I am shocked by what I&#8217;m seeing in this country,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;With people attempting to cancel this song, and cancel Jason and his beliefs — him and Brittany are outspoken about their love for law and order and for their love of this country, and I&#8217;m just grateful for them.&#8221;
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-7029">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
The South Dakota governor pointed out the fact that a number of those who have spoken out on topics like those had been persecuted for their beliefs — and concluded her statement with an offer for Aldean.
&#8220;I just want them to know that we support them, we love them, thank you for writing a song that America can get behind,&#8221; Noem said. &#8220;Keep singing, keep playing, and if you want to come to South Dakota, we&#8217;ll let you play anywhere, we&#8217;ll facilitate it. I know you&#8217;re coming in August, but if you want to come sing it on the governor&#8217;s residence front lawn, we&#8217;ll do it proudly.&#8221;
Country Music Television (CMT) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cmt-yanks-jason-aldeans-anti-riot-music-video-from-airwaves-amid-claims-its-pro-lynching">removed</a> Aldean&#8217;s song from the channel after critics complained that the song condoned lynching.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Speaks At The Coolidge And American Project Conference

Kristi Noem Offers Jason Aldean A New Venue Amid CMT Cancellation

Cancel Culture

Country Music

Jason Aldean

Music

U.S.

Over 80 South Dakota landowners are fighting a lawsuit filed by a company arguing for the “right” to eminent domain.
In late April, a carbon emissions reduction company, Summit Carbon Solutions, sued over 80 landowners to enact eminent domain in order to build their $4.5 billion carbon capture pipeline. The company sent letters to landowners earlier that month threatening to use eminent domain if the landowners didn’t agree to their purchase of easement.
Summit Carbon Solutions intends to build the pipeline across 18 counties in South Dakota as well as across the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota. The goal of the pipeline is to reduce carbon emissions from the ethanol plants grown on the land.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Summit Carbon Solutions is suing so many South Dakota landowners with eminent domain condemnation lawsuits for their private carbon pipeline that searching &quot;Summit Carbon Solutions&quot; lawsuits overwhelms the state court system&#39;s search function with &quot;too many matches found.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/y9S7G0gauW">https://t.co/y9S7G0gauW</a> <a href="https://t.co/1dneSDlpSH">pic.twitter.com/1dneSDlpSH</a>
&mdash; Rep. Jon Hansen (@RepJonHansen) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJonHansen/status/1679574487954751495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Landowners sued last July to stop the company from surveying their land without their permission. In April, Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Richard Sommers ruled that the company could conduct surveys on private land without permission of the landowners. The ruling came around the time that Summit Carbon Solutions sent out its eminent domain threat letters. The landowners have appealed the decision to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
The survey consists of geotechnical drilling, or geotechnical boring, which drills holes typically around 3-12 inches in diameter and 200 feet into the ground. At least one farmer, Jared Bossly, has reported damages to his crops as a result of the unwanted surveys. Bossly reported the holes were 90 feet deep, and that the survey vehicles damaged his corn and soybean crops.
In addition to the current damages from the survey, Bossly said that the pipeline would result in the removal of the windbreaker line of trees necessary to protect his cattle, as well as the shallow layer of topsoil that ensures crop growth.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Update on the carbon sequestration pipeline and the use of eminent domain by private corporations in South Dakota: These photos, taken today, show Summit Carbon Solutions, accompanied by law enforcement, “surveying” land on farm ground without the farmer’s permission (does this… <a href="https://t.co/Nq32wDied1">https://t.co/Nq32wDied1</a> <a href="https://t.co/x9Fp7NDX3D">pic.twitter.com/x9Fp7NDX3D</a>
&mdash; Rep. Jon Hansen (@RepJonHansen) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJonHansen/status/1671239300875431938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The property breaches and threat of eminent domain prompted citizens to petition their representatives for help. Last week, around 250 protesters convened at the state capitol, urging Governor Kristi Noem to convene a special session and outlaw the company’s actions.
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Great day with landowners in Pierre, SD today! <a href="https://t.co/CXUXAFCGoQ">https://t.co/CXUXAFCGoQ</a>
&mdash; Karla Lems (@karlalems16) <a href="https://twitter.com/karlalems16/status/1677171218191982592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Noem has passed the buck to lawmakers on calling a special session. The governor said that although her allegiance was with the landowners, she was reviewing the state’s legal options.
“If the legislature wants to call themselves into special session to change the law, I look forward to reviewing what they send to my desk,” tweeted Noem.
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I always honor my oath to the Constitution, and the law is the law. If the legislature wants to call themselves into special session to change the law, I look forward to reviewing what they send to my desk. <a href="https://t.co/M2A0qIupsy">pic.twitter.com/M2A0qIupsy</a>
&mdash; Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1674133755278028801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Following a press conference earlier this week, Noem <a href="https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/07/13/eminent-domain-co2-pipelines-legislative-consensus-questioned/">disclosed</a> to Dakota News Now that the legislature lacked a majority to enact the eminent domain protection the landowners desired.
“Whether it is to protect eminent domain or protect private property owners, that’s something that the legislature has to have a role in right now. They’ve washed their hands of it,” said Noem. “But their leadership has told me they don’t have consensus. They don’t have the ability to pass a bill right now if they were to go into a special session.”
Noem added that she asked Summit Carbon Solutions to make sure their surveyors were following the law.
“Well, you know, I’ve asked the company to talk to make sure that they are out there following the law as well,” said Noem.
While South Dakotans fight at home to keep their property rights, Noem has focused on opposing China’s purchasing of American farmland.
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We started the conversation about stopping China from buying our ag land. Others are following our lead.
We must stop Communist China from controlling our food supply before they control us.<a href="https://t.co/6JjiSojenK">https://t.co/6JjiSojenK</a>
&mdash; Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1679613937455595521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Independent journalist and State Freedom Caucus Communications Director Greg Price <a href="https://www.parabellum.news/p/when-green-energy-comes-for-your">reported</a> that Noem may have conflicting interests on the issue. Summit Carbon Solutions’ leadership consists of influential Republican leaders; they were also a platinum sponsor for Noem’s inauguration in January.
Terry Branstad, former longtime Republican governor of Iowa and President Trump’s Ambassador to China, is a senior advisor for the company. A senior advisor for the PR firm working with the company, Dan Lederman, was formerly the chairman for the South Dakota Republican Party.
One of the farmers facing condemnation of his property due to the eminent domain lawsuit, Mike Klipfel, told The Mitchell Republic that he was disappointed in Noem.
“Governor Noem has said more than once that her dad told her not to ‘sell the land’ because ‘God is not making any more of it,’” said Klipfel. “Where is she now?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
My dad always told me, “Never sell the land, Kristi. God’s not making any more of it.”
Supporting American farmers means keeping Chinese businesses from owning our American farms.
&mdash; Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1551680539144355840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The legislature failed to pass a <a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24090">bill</a> prohibiting eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines earlier this year.
In order to build, Summit Carbon Solutions requires a Public Utilities Commission permit. The commission will hold a public hearing on the company’s application in September.

Sioux Falls Falls

South Dakota Landowners Fight Company’s Lawsuit Declaring ‘Right’ to Eminent Domain

China

Communist China

South Dakota Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> (R) blasted Ben &amp; Jerry’s anti-American 4th of July message and said the leadership of the company hasn’t studied its history enough.
On Independence Day, Ben &amp; Jerry’s Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1676214289353572352%7Ctwgr%5Eeae99805a53f57fb262ef2167a7361f0332a9179%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fgov-noem-hits-back-ben-jerrys-mt-rushmore-opposition-no-idea-doing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> a message pushing for the return of “stolen Indigenous land,” including Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, to Native American groups. Attached to the tweet was a company article that said Mount Rushmore should be returned first, <a href="https://action.lakotalaw.org/action/land-back" target="_blank" rel="noopener">linking</a> to a petition to return the iconic American landmark. Governor Noem had other thoughts on the matter.
“I&#8217;m not going to listen to a bunch of liberal Vermont businessmen who think they know everything about this country and haven&#8217;t studied our history,” Noem told “<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/gov-noem-hits-back-ben-jerrys-mt-rushmore-opposition-no-idea-doing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox &amp; Friends</a>” Thursday. “Right now, Mount Rushmore is the greatest symbol of our freedom and history of the United States of America.”
The ice cream maker’s article, titled “The US Was Founded on Stolen Indigenous Land—This July 4, Let’s Commit to Returning It,” tries to persuade readers that Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills should be returned to the Lakota people, repeatedly claiming the United States “stole” the land. All the fun and festivities of the 4th of July, Ben &amp; Jerry’s says, “distracts” from this claim.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This 4th of July, it&#39;s high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: <a href="https://t.co/45smaBmORH">https://t.co/45smaBmORH</a> <a href="https://t.co/a6qp7LXUAE">pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE</a>
&mdash; Ben &amp; Jerry&#39;s (@benandjerrys) <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The company also says the presidents whose faces adorn the rocks — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln — “actively worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life, to deny Indigenous people their basic rights.”
“We can learn from the men on that mountain,” Noem said. “We can do better. But, boy, they led us through some challenging times. And I think Americans in this country need some inspiration, and we can gain it from a monument like that.&#8221;
Noem said Americans should be proud of their country and “knock off” the claims Ben &amp; Jerry’s is making, prompting host Brian Kilmeade to point out that Ben &amp; Jerry’s is taking “advantage” of the country and its free enterprise system, all while strongly criticizing it.
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Noem isn’t the only politician who has spoken out against the ice cream company. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-posts-anti-american-message-on-july-4th-critics-blast-their-hypocrisy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">questioned</a> what the company was picturing when it said the U.S. should “return” the land. “Expungement of property rights? Repatriation of most Americans to Europe?” Lee asked.
In January, South Dakota Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-bill-aims-to-prevent-destruction-of-mount-rushmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">re-introduced</a> the Mount Rushmore Protection Act, which would prevent Mount Rushmore from being renamed or destroyed amid protests and calls from Native Americans and activist groups. Sixteen other Republicans — and no Democrats — have <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/386/committees?s=1&amp;r=12&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%22%5D%7D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">co-sponsored</a> the bill.
“Our nation’s history is not without its flaws, but there is no doubt the faces on Mount Rushmore represent democracy, freedom and the great American experiment,” Johnson said at the time.

South Dakota Gov. Blasts Ben & Jerry’s Push To ‘Return’ Mt. Rushmore: ‘Bunch Of Liberal Vermont Businessmen’

American History

Ben &amp; Jerry's

General

Gov. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> (R-SD) vetoed a bill that would have classified a potential <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/federal-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener">central bank</a> digital currency as <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/money" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money</a> while excluding <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/cryptocurrency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cryptocurrencies</a>.
Policymakers at the Federal Reserve have considered the adoption of a digital dollar over the last several years. Noem said in a veto <a href="https://governor.sd.gov/doc/HB-1193_Veto-Letter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to the <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/south-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Dakota</a> House of Representatives that the legislation “opens the door to the risk that the federal government could more easily adopt a CBDC, which then may become the only viable digital currency.”
“At this moment in time, such a government-backed electronic currency has not yet been created,” Noem told lawmakers. “More importantly, South Dakota should not open the door to a potential future overreach by the federal government.”
The <a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23995/250850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill</a> would have defined money as a “medium of exchange that is currently authorized or adopted by a domestic or foreign government.” Lawmakers <a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23995" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed</a> the measure 49-17 in the House of Representatives and 24-9 in the Senate, both of which are margins that would allow for the overturn of the veto in the two chambers.
Noem added that cryptocurrencies, which are decentralized <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-exactly-is-bitcoin-heres-how-the-worlds-largest-cryptocurrency-actually-works" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital assets</a> that can be transferred between virtual wallets, would not be considered money under the legislation. She asserted that the bill therefore “needlessly” limited freedoms and placed citizens at a “business disadvantage” by discouraging development within the nascent sector.
Opponents of a potential central bank digital currency <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/surveillance-and-control-vivek-ramaswamy-and-tucker-carlson-discuss-china-inspired-push-for-a-central-bank-digital-currency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assert</a> that such an initiative would render citizens vulnerable to government censorship and surveillance. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, digital assets managed by central banks are not decentralized and are tethered to their analog counterparts. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-fed-chair-says-his-mind-is-open-on-a-digital-dollar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> two years ago that his “mind is open” to a digital dollar, noting that he was “legitimately undecided” on whether the “benefits outweigh the costs” of central bank digital currencies.
“We would want very broad support in society and in Congress,” he told lawmakers. “It’s a very, very important initiative, and I do think we should ideally get authorization.”
A central bank digital currency would preserve the international role of the dollar while mitigating pitfalls intrinsic to cryptocurrencies such as liquidity risk and credit risk, according to a <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/january-2022-cbdc.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paper</a> from the Federal Reserve. The central bank recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-reserve-launches-digital-dollar-initiative-days-after-leading-cryptocurrency-firm-goes-under" target="_blank" rel="noopener">conducted</a> a simulation with Citi, Mastercard, BNY Mellon, and other companies to determine the “feasibility of payments between financial institutions” using tokenized assets.
Increased skepticism toward cryptocurrencies comes in the aftermath of FTX and other digital asset companies controlled by Sam Bankman-Fried filing for bankruptcy at the end of last year after customers learned that FTX had commingled funds with trading company Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried pleaded <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-pleads-not-guilty-allowed-to-conceal-who-is-securing-his-250-million-bond" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not guilty</a> to multiple charges, which include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit campaign finance violations.
Recent tumult in the cryptocurrency sector and the widely publicized criminal proceedings against Bankman-Fried have quickly eroded consumers’ trust in the novel assets: a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/investors-much-more-skeptical-of-crypto-after-brutal-bear-market-ftx-collapse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survey</a> conducted by CNBC and Momentive found that 60% of Americans see the risk of cryptocurrency investments as “high,” while only 10% say the assets carry little or no risk.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Vetoes Central Bank Digital Currency Bill

Kristi Noem Vetoes Central Bank Digital Currency Bill

Cryptocurrency

Economy

Federal Reserve

Money

Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley sent a letter to pharmacists in their state warning that they will be subject to felony prosecution if they dispense abortion pills in their state.
The joint letter was sent on Tuesday following changes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that it will certify retail pharmacies to prescribe popular medications used in chemical abortions.
“Chemical abortions remain illegal in South Dakota. Under South Dakota law, pharmacies, including chain drug stores, are prohibited from procuring and dispensing abortion-inducing drugs with the intent to induce an abortion, and are subject to felony prosecution under South Dakota law, despite the recent FDA ruling,&#8221; the letter <a href="https://governor.sd.gov/doc/GovNoem_AGJackley_Letter-to-Pharmacists.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>. &#8220;Their resources should be focused on helping mothers and their babies, both before birth and after.&#8221;
After the Supreme Court&#8217;s Dobbs decision in June 2022 to return abortion laws to individual states, South Dakota&#8217;s 2005 trigger law went into effect that made abortions illegal in the state except to save the life of the mother, <a href="https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&amp;sys_id=8d8bf9121b602510b04d4262f54bcb40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> a statement from Noem&#8217;s office.
Noem announced a new website, <a href="https://life.sd.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Life.SD.gov</a>, last year to promote &#8220;helping mothers and babies before and after birth&#8221; as part of the state&#8217;s pro-life focus.
“All abortions, whether surgically or chemically induced, terminate the life of a living human being,&#8221; Noem and Jackley added in the letter. &#8220;South Dakota will continue to enforce all laws including those that respect and protect the lives of the unborn. We trust pharmacists doing business in this state will take the same approach to respecting life.”
At least two other states, Florida and Alabama, have offered similar warnings to pharmacists in their states.
The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-agency-for-healthcare-administration-warns-pharmacies-to-not-give-out-abortion-pills/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sent</a> a letter following the FDA&#8217;s change warning pharmacies against dispensing abortion pills, citing state law that &#8220;no termination shall be performed at any time except by a licensed physician.&#8221;
In Alabama, Attorney General Steve Marshall even noted that women could be prosecuted for using abortion pills, despite the state’s law only criminalizing abortion providers and preventing prosecution against women who have abortions.
“The Human Life Protection Act targets abortion providers, exempting women ‘upon whom an abortion is performed or attempted to be performed’ from liability under the law,” Marshall said in a <a href="https://www.al.com/news/2023/01/women-can-be-prosecuted-for-taking-abortion-pills-says-alabama-attorney-general.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> to AL.com. “It does not provide an across-the-board exemption from all criminal laws, including the chemical-endangerment law—which the Alabama Supreme Court has affirmed and reaffirmed protects unborn children.”
The FDA&#8217;s policy update earlier this month was followed by President Joe Biden issuing a presidential memorandum on Sunday to protect access to abortion pills to mark 50 years since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
&#8220;My Administration remains committed to supporting safe access to mifepristone, consistent with applicable law, and defending women’s fundamental freedoms,&#8221; Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/01/22/memorandum-on-further-efforts-to-protect-access-to-reproductive-healthcare-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in the Sunday memorandum. &#8220;Defending and protecting reproductive rights is essential to our Nation’s health, safety, and progress. It is the policy of my Administration to protect against threats to the liberty and autonomy of those who live in this country.&#8221;
The FDA change on abortion pill access led to a group of 22 attorneys general sending a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf asking the agency to reverse its decision. The letter, led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, argued that the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs poses a danger to women’s health.
“The Food and Drug Administration’s decision to abandon commonsense restrictions on remotely prescribing and administering abortion-inducing drugs is both illegal and dangerous,” the <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/619779306/Letter-From-Alabama-Attorney-General-Steve-Marshall-to-FDA-about-abortion-pill-rule-change#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> read. “In direct contravention of longstanding FDA practice and congressional mandate, the FDA’s rollback of important safety restrictions ignores both women’s health and straightforward federal statutes. We urge you to reverse your decision.”

‘Subject To Felony Prosecution’: Gov. Kristi Noem Warns South Dakota Pharmacists Against Dispensing Abortion Pills

Gov. Kristi Noem Warns South Dakota Pharmacists Against Dispensing Abortion Pills

Abortion

Pro-Life Movement

South Dakota Gov. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a> (R) is looking for answers after the federal government leaked her social security number — and those of her family members — in the public release of records from the January 6 House committee.
Noem publicly shared the letter that her lawyers sent to federal agencies to demand a response over the publicly disclosed information in a Twitter post on Friday.
&#8220;My lawyers have asked the @WhiteHouse, the @USNatArchives, and @BennieGThompson which of them is responsible for leaking the Social Security Numbers of me, my husband, my 3 kids, and my son-in-law,&#8221; she tweeted. &#8220;What specific measures and remedies will be taken to protect our identities?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
My lawyers have asked the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/USNatArchives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USNatArchives</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/BennieGThompson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BennieGThompson</a> which of them is responsible for leaking the Social Security Numbers of me, my husband, my 3 kids, and my son-in-law.
What specific measures and remedies will be taken to protect our identities? <a href="https://t.co/HWBu5ukWPP">pic.twitter.com/HWBu5ukWPP</a>
&mdash; Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1611500140971413504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Noem&#8217;s leaked social security numbers were posted alongside the private information of nearly 2,000 others in a file of high-profile visitors to the White House in December 2020.
&#8220;The National Archives produced these visitors logs, which then became exhibits during the January 6 Committee hearing. Prior to being published as exhibits, the law required that Protected Personal Information be redacted from the visitor logs, but that was not done,&#8221; the letter from Noem&#8217;s lawyers read.
The letter argued that the publication of the governor&#8217;s and of her family&#8217;s private information is a violation of the Privacy Act of 1974 and could lead to further legal action. The lawyers are requesting a response by January 13 from those involved.
The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/january-6-committee-releases-social-security-numbers-of-top-trump-officials-republican-governors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> on Friday that after the committee’s last public meeting last month, it released a trove of official records, testimonies, transcripts, and other information that it collected as part of its investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. One of those documents was a spreadsheet containing nearly 2,000 Social Security numbers of White House guests in December 2020.
Among the Social Security numbers on the list, since removed from the files, was information associated with at least three Trump cabinet members, several Republican governors, and numerous officials and allies, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/01/06/social-security-numbers-jan-6-committee-documents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a>. Some of the other leaders whose personal information was leaked included Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R), and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.
On November 30, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) wrote a letter to committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) demanding that the January 6 committee preserve all records from its investigation.
&#8220;You have spent a year and a half and millions of taxpayers&#8217; dollars conducting this investigation. It is imperative that all information be preserved not just for institutional prerogatives but for transparency to the American people,&#8221; McCarthy <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccarthy-instructs-jan-6-committee-preserve-documents-gop-house-takeover" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. &#8220;The official Congressional Records do not belong to you or any member, but to the American people, and they are owed all the information you gathered – not merely the information that comports with your political agenda.&#8221;
Noem&#8217;s letter from her lawyers also came one day ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1611835847485128704" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inauguration</a> of her second term as governor of South Dakota.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Seeks Answers After Federal Government Leaks Social Security Numbers Of Her Family

January 6 Committee

Privacy

The House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/january-6-committee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">January 6 Committee</a>, now disbanded, released Social Security numbers belonging to hundreds of Americans, including former Trump staffers and other top <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/republican-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Republican</a> officials.
After the committee’s last public meeting last month, it released a trove of official records, testimonies, transcripts, and other information that it collected as part of its 18-month investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. One of those documents was a spreadsheet containing nearly 2,000 Social Security numbers of people who visited the White House in December 2020.
Among the Social Security numbers on the list, since removed from January 6 files, was information associated with at least three Trump cabinet members, as well as some Republican governors and numerous officials and allies, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/01/06/social-security-numbers-jan-6-committee-documents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a>. Those people whose information was on the spreadsheet are now at an “elevated risk” to be victims of identity theft-related crimes, Identity Theft Resource Center COO James Lee said.
The committee appears to have not immediately notified officials of the leak. Ian Fury, a spokesman of South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem, whose information was on the removed document, said, “To my knowledge, we were not notified. The governor was not notified.”
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, whose information was also on the sheet, told the Post: “Whether it was a careless and sloppy handling of records or a deliberate disregard of decorum, either scenario is a perfunctory and callous display of government and a frightening reminder of the current state in Washington. … President Reagan was a savant indeed — the nine most frightening words to hear are ‘I am from the government and here to help.’”
The committee said that all information released to the public was first reviewed for sensitive personal information and that any release of sensitive information such as Social Security numbers was a mistake.
The January 6 Committee, which was stacked with Democratic lawmakers and included two former GOP lawmakers, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, investigated the January 6 riot at the Capitol with an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/liberal-bias-or-cheney-2024-j6-staffers-liz-cheney-trade-blows-over-final-committee-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emphasis</a> on former President Donald Trump’s role in the chaotic event. On December 19, at its last public hearing, the committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-j6-committee-recommends-criminal-charges-against-trump-over-capitol-riot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> to recommend the Department of Justice charge the former president over the riot.
Trump “lost the 2020 election and knew it, but he choose to try and stay in office through a multi-part scheme to overturn the results and block the transfer of power,” committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said. “In the end, he summoned a mob to Washington and, knowing they were armed and angry, pointed them to the Capitol and told them to ‘fight like hell.’ There’s no doubt about this.”
The committee voted to recommend Trump be charged with obstructing an official proceeding, conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to make false statements to the federal government, and inciting an insurrection.
Attorney General Merrick Garland tapped former war crimes prosecutor Jack Smith, who previously worked at the international criminal court at The Hague, as special counsel to take over two Department of Justice probes into Trump over the January 6 riot and a cache of classified documents Trump allegedly improperly stored at Mar-a-Lago.

Bennie Thompson

January 6 Committee Releases Social Security Numbers Of Top Trump Officials, Republican Governors

Ben Carson

Congress

Washington D.C.

A South Dakota health official appointed by Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has retired following reports of a controversial state contract with a transgender activist group.
Noem made the announcement on Monday and thanked Health Secretary Joan Adam for her service.
“She has been able to put families first because she recognizes the importance of her own family. I am grateful for her advice and wish her the best on everything that she does,” Noem said in the <a href="https://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=31951" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.
The announcement did not mention the state contract with the Transformation Project, a deal that Noam <a href="https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/12/16/kristi-noem-orders-health-department-terminate-transgender-group-contract/">ordered</a> the health department to terminate just last week. The organization was scheduled to host a Gender Identity Summit in January, with news of the event sparking controversy among many South Dakota residents.
Ian Fury, Noem&#8217;s chief of communications, <a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/12/19/exclusive-kristi-noem-parts-ways-with-health-secretary-after-uncovering-transgender-activist-groups-involvement/">said</a> in a statement to The Daily Signal that the contract was signed without the governor&#8217;s knowledge.
“South Dakota does not support this organization’s efforts, and state government should not be participating in them,” Noem told the outlet in a statement provided by Fury. “We should not be dividing our youth with radical ideologies. We should treat every single individual equally as a human being.”
The Transformation Project SD <a href="https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/mission-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">states</a> that its mission is &#8220;to support and empower transgender individuals and their families while educating communities in SD and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression.&#8221;
Among its projects to educate, support, and empower &#8220;transgender South Dakotans&#8221; is <a href="https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/martys-closet-booking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marty&#8217;s Closet,</a> which provides &#8220;thousands of items of clothing available for all gender-diverse South Dakotans.&#8221;
Adam served in South Dakota&#8217;s Department of Health for 20 years. She previously served as Division Director for Health Promotion &amp; Disease Prevention and Division Director for Administration.
Noem has strongly opposed transgender activism in the state. In February, the governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/south-dakota-gov-kristi-noem-signs-bill-banning-biological-males-from-girls-sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> a bill designed that bans biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, including provisions for college athletics. The bill, SB 46, is designed “to protect fairness in women’s sports.”
&nbsp;

Kristi Noem’s Health Secretary Retires After Controversial Contract With Transgender Group

Social Issues

Transgender

Lawmakers in <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/south-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Dakota</a> announced a move to more heavily scrutinize foreign purchases of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/farming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">farmland</a> from investors in adversarial nations such as <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a>.
Foreigners in the Mount Rushmore State increased their land holdings from nearly 307,000 acres in 2019 to more than 356,000 acres in 2020, meaning that foreign nationals now control 0.9% of the state’s agricultural land, according to <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/EPAS/PDF/2020_afida_annual_report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Department of Agriculture. Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD) announced support for legislation that would establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for South Dakota (CFIUS-SD) to examine possible acquisitions of agricultural land by foreign interests.
“With this new process, we will be able to prevent nations who hate us — like Communist China — from buying up our state’s agriculture land,” she said in a <a href="https://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=31923" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>. “We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue to buy up our nation’s food supply, so South Dakota will lead the charge on this vital national security issue.”
Chinese entities own slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acres in the United States, according to the Department of Agriculture. Canadian investors own roughly 32% of agricultural and non-agricultural land, while citizens of other allied nations such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany constitute 31% of land holdings by foreigners.
Lawmakers in South Dakota are particularly worried about the acquisition of farmland near <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pompeo-warns-communist-chinese-entities-buying-farmland-near-u-s-military-bases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">military facilities</a> such as Ellsworth Air Force Base. The purchase of 300 acres near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, where some of the nation’s secure military drone technology is located, earlier this year by Chinese food manufacturing company Fufeng Group raised concerns of espionage among some officials.
“For those of us who have lived and worked on the land, we know that it’s our past, but also our future,” State Senator Erin Tobin (R-SD) continued. “We grow the world’s food, and we need to protect the security of that food supply for our kids.”
Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Oklahoma have previously banned the foreign ownership of farmland. Chinese investors, however, can circumvent such restrictions by acquiring and operating through American corporations. House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/congressman-warns-against-americas-enemies-taking-over-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act earlier this year in an effort to bar entities from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from buying American agricultural firms.
“China’s efforts to influence American agriculture threatens U.S. security,” Johnson said in a <a href="https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-stefanik-pass-act-prevents-china-purchasing-us-agriculture-businesses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “We have experienced numerous black swan events in the past few years, and we can’t risk allowing our adversaries closer access to our food and supply chains.”
The Biden administration likewise <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-quietly-probes-chinese-tech-firm-for-possibly-harvesting-data-from-military-bases-missile-silos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investigated</a> Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei over concerns that cell towers using the company’s devices are transmitting data on military bases and missile silos to the communist nation. A final rule <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-makes-historic-move-to-block-certain-chinese-tech-after-national-security-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> last month by the Federal Communications Commission will block Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, and Dahua from importing and selling certain technology that the agency considers a potential threat to national security. The new rule, however, does not apply to technology already within the nation’s borders.

South Dakota To Restrict Purchases Of Farmland By China And Other ‘Nations Who Hate Us’

South Dakota To Restrict Purchases Of Farmland By China

Farmers

National Security

South Dakota Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> ordered state government employees to stop using TikTok.
Noem signed an Executive Order Tuesday to ban government officials in the state from using the Chinese social media app over growing security concerns. The order takes effect immediately, and bans all state government employees and contractors from downloading the app on government devices. TikTok has been the subject of growing concerns in recent months about data privacy and security risks it poses, particularly to government officials.
“South Dakota will have no part in the intelligence gathering operations of nations who hate us,” Noem said in a <a href="https://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=31872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> Tuesday. “The Chinese Communist Party uses information that it gathers on TikTok to manipulate the American people, and they gather data off the devices that access the platform.”
“Because of our serious duty to protect the private data of South Dakota citizens, we must take this action immediately,&#8221; Noem added. &#8220;I hope other states will follow South Dakota’s lead, and Congress should take broader action, as well.”
Other officials in South Dakota have previously sounded the alarm about the harm the app inflicts on American children and students.
&#8220;TikTok delivers garbage content to American students and educational content to Chinese students,&#8221; Congressman <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDustyJohnson/status/1589645758240010241?s=20&amp;t=mC8DTGqcmH0c9uJOSN8jPA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dusty Johnson</a> (R-SD) wrote on Twitter, reacting to a “60 Minutes” segment on the differences between content the app promotes in the U.S. vs. in China. &#8220;We cannot trust this company.&#8221;
In August, Johnson introduced a bill to <a href="https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/dustyjohnson.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Block%20the%20Tok%20Act.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ban TikTok</a> from collecting user data from American users from within the People&#8217;s Republic of China. The bill would also have banned TikTok from being downloaded on federal government devices, including military installations and federal agencies.
&#8220;A great clip from a recent ⁦@60Minutes piece on why TikTok is not as harmless as many believe,&#8221; Sioux Falls mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/paultenhaken/status/1597250698202255368?s=20&amp;t=mC8DTGqcmH0c9uJOSN8jPA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul TenHaken</a> said in reaction to the clip. &#8220;This app needs more federal scrutiny to ensure our kids (and national security) are protected.&#8221;
At the federal level, TikTok has faced severe and continuous scrutiny about the security risks it poses, not just to the data privacy of individual users, but to national security as well.
“We do have national security concerns — at least from the FBI’s end — about TikTok,” FBI Director <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/we-do-have-national-security-concerns-fbi-director-warns-chinese-community-party-uses-tiktok-to-compromise-american-privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christopher Wray</a> told the House Homeland Security Committee at a hearing earlier this month. “They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users. Or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations if they so chose. Or to control software on millions of devices, which gives it opportunity to potentially technically compromise personal devices.”
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-chief-administrative-officer-warns-members-of-congress-not-to-use-tiktok-over-potential-security-risks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chief Administrative Officer</a> (CAO) of the House of Representatives has also warned members of Congress against downloading the app, citing security concerns. A memo from the office warned members that the app harvests data, including possibly sensitive information; it also cited the app’s excessive permissions requests and its lack of transparency in how it protects user data.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-government-urged-to-ban-tiktok-by-fcc-commissioner-warning-user-data-allegedly-flow-back-to-chinese-communist-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FCC Commissioner</a> Brendan Carr has asked Congress to ban TikTok, and earlier this month, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced legislation to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-lawmakers-to-introduce-legislation-banning-tiktok-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ban the app</a> in the U.S. outright.

TikTok

South Dakota Governor Noem Blocks State Employees From Downloading TikTok

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Signs Executive Order To Block State Employees From Downloading TikTok

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