Governor Kristi Noem hosts press conference to address cartel presence on reservations

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Governor Kristi Noem held a press conference this morning, May 17, to address what she calls a ‘warzone’ on the southern border and the impact illegal drugs are having on the reservation.

Noem started the conference by reading statements from tribal leaders across the state, criticizing the tribes’ decision to ban her from seven of the reservations in the state. She stated that she wants to work with those tribes to address cartel presence on the reservation. Noem agreed with a statement made by Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out when he said that the federal government is ultimately responsible for law enforcement on the reservation, adding that she agrees this is a failure of the federal government that reservations are dealing with law enforcement issues.

“We have heard these stories these testimonies and these facts from Democrats from Republicans and from tribal leaders and from people who live in these communities including those here in South Dakota and those in our neighboring states,” Noem said.

Noem ultimately laid the blame on the Biden administration, citing asylum policy as a large factor contributing to the rise of organized crime in the state and on the reservation.

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