Noem’s Scandals and the Cost of Looking Away-Part V
From Dead Dogs to DHS Disasters.
Before Kristi Noem was orchestrating the dismantling of FEMA, she was busy dodging scandal after scandal in her home state—and each one told us exactly what kind of leader she would become.
The signs were there: a pattern of cruelty, misused power, and deflection from consequences. But instead of derailing her rise, these scandals became qualifiers in an environment that rewards loyalty over ethics.
🐕 The Memoir That Backfired
In early 2024, Noem released her political memoir No Going Back. She likely expected it to solidify her image as a straight-talking, no-nonsense patriot. Instead, it exploded into one of the most bizarre and damaging political episodes in recent memory.
In the book, Noem casually describes shooting her own 14-month-old dog, “Cricket,” because the dog was too energetic and allegedly killed some birds. She also killed a neighbor’s goat in the same narrative, citing its unpleasant behavior.
The backlash was immediate and bipartisan. Critics didn’t just question her judgment—they questioned her capacity for empathy. Even Donald Trump reportedly joked, “Even Don Jr. wouldn’t kill a dog, and he kills everything.”
And yet, despite this tone-deaf confession, Noem kept rising.
🛩️ Abuse of State Resources
As governor of South Dakota, Noem was investigated for:
- Using state aircraft for personal trips, including family weddings and partisan events
- Intervening in her daughter’s real estate licensing process, prompting an ethics inquiry
- Accepting luxury perks and travel that blurred the lines between governance and self-promotion
The state’s Government Accountability Board found there was “sufficient evidence” of misconduct—yet no formal penalties followed.
👜 The DHS Purse Scandal
After joining the Trump administration as DHS Secretary, Noem made headlines again—this time for losing her purse, which contained:
- A DHS identification badge
- Her official passport
- $3,000 in cash
It was stolen from under her table at a D.C. restaurant. Critics raised immediate concerns: why was a federal official carrying sensitive credentials and large sums of cash in an unsecured location?
But once again, no answers were given—and the story faded, buried beneath layers of MAGA loyalty and media deflection.
🧠 The Pattern: Personal Power > Public Accountability
From local government to the highest levels of national security, Noem’s record reflects not just negligence, but a culture of impunity. Every scandal paints the same picture: a leader who misuses power, avoids responsibility, and doubles down on image control.
What should have disqualified her instead became qualifications. Because in today’s authoritarian pipeline, scandal isn’t a liability—it’s proof of allegiance.
📢 What’s Coming Next!
Part VI: What We Can Do Now
Restoring Competence and Accountability Before It’s Too Late