Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) said she and several other governors must be “aggressive” in dealing with foreign policy because “our federal government and president are failing.”
Noem was the first governor to ban TikTok from state devices and servers when she did so in South Dakota, prompting more than 30 other states to do the same. This week, the Republican governor also signed a bill into law that bars state and local governments from contracting with “evil foreign governments.”
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“I hope other states will follow that as well,” Noem told Hannity. “Listen, the only reason [states] feel we have to be so aggressive, is because our federal government and president are failing. They are endangering the American people, they are weak. And so, governors have a responsibility, a duty, to protect our people. That’s why you see us getting so engaged on foreign policy issues.”
Noem praised the recent hearings held in Congress over security and privacy risks presented by TikTok.
“It’s been great to see them hold hearings finally and to be talking about this important issue,” Noem said. “Recognize that Chinese Communist Party will put its people through hell in order to keep them in bondage. I hope the American people are willing to be just a little bit inconvenienced to protect their freedom — because that’s what this is about.”
“It’s about giving up an app to not allow our enemies to spy on us and manipulate our children and to use algorithms to influence us,” the South Dakota governor added. “It’s incredibly important that we take action like this. I’m so grateful other states are taking action and the federal government, as well.”
Noem noted that South Dakota is considering legislation she brought forth that would ban China from buying land in her state.
When asked about whether her actions to stand for such foreign policy concerns were indicative of any consideration toward a 2024 bid for the White House, Noem side-stepped the question.
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“I am considering going to bed in a few hours when I get done with all my work today,” Noem said, before adding that she wants “somebody who recognizes the responsibility of the job, how important it is right now to do it for the right reasons.”
“We need a different president than the one we’ve got,” Noem said. “I think we’ve got to get the right leader in this country so we all get the chance to wake up safe tomorrow morning.”
