Additional Coverage:
Governor Kristi Noem’s Social Media Spurs Criticism
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is facing renewed criticism after a recent Instagram post featuring her alongside Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Horse Patrol agents. The photo, posted on National Cowboy Day, shows Noem wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse, with the caption “Patriotism.
Courage. Professionalism.
We are so proud of our CBP horse patrol every day, and especially today on National Cowboy Day!”
Some social media users accused the governor of “cosplaying” and wasting taxpayer money on a photo opportunity. Comments included “Wasting taxpayers money again on a photo op?”
and “Cool stop cosplaying.” Others criticized her attire, with one user remarking, “There’s Kristi playing dress-up again.”
This isn’t the first time Noem’s social media presence has drawn negative attention. An earlier post about CBP’s use of drone technology also sparked backlash, with some accusing her of being “incompetent” and raising concerns over the detention of US citizens.
Noem has been a vocal supporter of stricter immigration policies, echoing claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are targeting the “worst of the worst.” However, reports suggest that a significant number of those detained do not have criminal records.
Cases involving the detention of US citizens, including a Massachusetts high school student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident, have further fueled criticism of these policies and raised questions about due process. A federal judge called the government’s continued detention of Khalil, who was held for three months despite posing no flight risk or danger to the community, “highly, highly unusual.”