South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Wednesday that her administration is considering increasing support for Texas' efforts to deter migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, including using razor wire and deploying more security guards. Ta.
The two-term Republican governor slammed conditions at the border in a requested speech to a joint session of Congress on Monday after visiting the border last week. Noem, once considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has focused on the border situation during her tenure.
“The United States of America is in an age of invasion,” Noem said. “Invasion is looming across our southern border. The 50 states have a common enemy, and that enemy is the Mexican drug cartels. They are waging war against our country, and these cartels perpetuate violence in our states and right here in South Dakota.”
Border security is at the center of many states and Congresses, with Republicans conditioning aid to Ukraine on border security agreements and pushing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Even President Joe Biden has said he would close the border if given emergency powers as part of a deal.
Noem cited illegal drugs such as fentanyl and violent crimes that impact communities and tribal reservations. She said she would “openly” support the lawsuit the Oglala Sioux Tribe filed against the federal government last week and seek more support from law enforcement.
In November, Tribal Chairman Frank Starr Coming Out declared a state of emergency on the Pine Ridge Reservation, citing increased crime. A federal judge ruled last year that the federal government has a treaty obligation to support law enforcement on reservations, but declined to rule on the level of funding the tribes had sought.
The governor also said South Dakota is willing to send razor wire to Texas. The administration is “considering various legal options for how we can support Texas and allow the federal government to accomplish its mission,” and is also considering options to provide personnel, she said. Stated.
Democratic state Sen. Sean Bordeaux said Noem should “focus on South Dakota.”
“It is unfortunate that she is using the Mexican border for political purposes to advance her own agenda and align herself with former President Trump, and to do so at the expense of tribes. I think so,” he added.
He said Noem has paid little attention to area tribes during her 10 years as a state representative and two years as a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
“I'm a little upset that I haven't heard anything before, but I think it's a big deal to suddenly interrupt us in the middle of a session with some ploy to get a little more attention.” ” Bordeaux said.
Republican House Majority Leader Will Mortenson said Noem “painted a pretty clear picture of the situation at the border and made a convincing case for the need for action at the border.” She said her colleagues will consider specific proposals she may submit during the ongoing session.
Noem has sent the South Dakota National Guard to the border three times, including last year, and has visited the border several times, including on Friday. Other Republican governors have also sent troops to visit the border.
In 2021, Noem accepted a $1 million donation from a wealthy Republican donor to help pay for a two-month deployment of 48 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. invited criticism.
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