‘It’s insulting’: Pourier objects to Noem’s framing of border concerns

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a staunch ally of GOP frontrunner and former president Donald Trump as well as a vocal critic of current President Joe Biden, told lawmakers Wednesday afternoon that South Dakota is “directly” impacted by events at the border. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, the United States of America is in a time of invasion,” Noem said. “The invasion is coming over our southern border. The 50 states have a common enemy, and that enemy is the Mexican drug cartels. They are waging war against our nation.”

And the governor says state leaders are looking at ways to support Texas.

“South Dakota is directly affected by this invasion,” Noem said. “We are affected by cartel presence right here on our tribal reservations, by the spread of drugs and human trafficking throughout our communities.”

Rep. Peri Pourier, a Democrat who represents the Pine Ridge Reservation in the state legislature, says the border does deserve lawmakers’ time.

“I appreciate the governor bringing our attention to the seriousness and the deteriorating conditions at the southern border,” Pourier said.

But Pourier, who is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, strongly objects to how the governor framed the issue.

“I am Oglala Lakota, and I am from Pine Ridge, and for her to use such a difficult problem that everybody struggles with daily to further her national ambitions is disingenuous, and it’s insulting,” Pourier said. “She only sees us when it benefits her.”

One segment of the governor’s address particularly frustrated Pourier; it centered on Pine Ridge.

“Murders are being committed by cartel members on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City, and a gang called the Ghost Dancers are affiliated with these cartels,” Noem said. “They have been successful in recruiting tribal members to join their criminal activity.”

Rep. Peri Pourier, a Democrat who represents the Pine Ridge Reservation in the state legislature, says the border does deserve lawmakers’ time.

“I appreciate the governor bringing our attention to the seriousness and the deteriorating conditions at the southern border,” Pourier said.