South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s autobiography recounts a controversial incident where she shot her own dog, an action that led to her being banned from entering Sioux Indian reservations. The governor stands by her decision and describes it as necessary to show her ability to make difficult choices. In her upcoming book, “No Going Back. The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,” Noem tells the story of her shooting 14-month-old dog Cricket in a gravel pit after attempts to train it for pheasant hunting were unsuccessful. She also mentions shooting a goat that she deemed troublesome.
The incident has sparked outrage even among fellow Republicans, with many questioning Noem’s judgment and ethics. Despite this, Noem defends her actions, stating that they were necessary to demonstrate her willingness to do what needed to be done, no matter how unpleasant. This is not the first time Noem has caused controversy; earlier in her political career, she made comments about Native Americans and took a stance on gun rights and abortion that put her at odds with some voters.
Despite Noem’s ambitions to potentially become a prominent political figure, such as a vice presidential contender, the dog-shooting incident has led to criticism and backlash. Even former President Trump was reportedly put off by the story, indicating that such actions could harm Noem’s chances of being considered for a high-ranking position in the future.
