Native tribe lifts banishment on Noem ahead of Senate confirmation hearing

A South Dakota Native American tribe, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, has lifted its banishment on Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and endorsed her nomination to serve as secretary of Homeland Security. The tribe’s President, Tony Reider, sent a letter to Noem congratulating her on her nomination and expressing the tribe’s support for her confirmation.

This decision comes just days before Noem is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing. In the letter, Reider commended Noem for her dedication to the safety and security of the United States and wished her luck during the confirmation hearing.

Last year, all nine Native tribes in South Dakota banned Noem from their reservations following controversial remarks she made about tribal leaders benefiting from cartels and the immigration crisis. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe was the last tribe to lift the banishment, with Reider acknowledging that Noem had apologized for her remarks and sought advice on how to communicate more respectfully in the future.

Noem’s nomination for secretary of Homeland Security by President-elect Donald Trump was based on her efforts to secure the southern border, which has been overwhelmed by illegal crossings under the Biden administration. Since her nomination, Noem has garnered endorsements from several police groups and unions, as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters, a historically Democratic firefighter union.

As Noem prepares for her Senate confirmation hearing, she has received support from Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who called for swift confirmation in the wake of a terrorist attack in New Orleans. The endorsement from the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe adds to the growing support for Noem’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.