Kristi Noem on National Guard
TL;DR
Kristi Noem strongly advocates for utilizing the National Guard to secure the border and maintain domestic order during crises.
Key Points
She called for the deployment of the National Guard after National Guard members were shot in Washington D.C. in February 2024.
Kristi Noem stated the National Guard needed assurance against prosecution when acting under orders to maintain order.
She previously warned that the National Guard could be deployed in response to incidents like a truck ramming event in San Francisco.
Summary
Kristi Noem maintains a strong stance advocating for the deployment and increased authority of the National Guard, particularly in situations involving border security and civil unrest. She has publicly asserted that the Guard should be readily available and willing to act decisively when called upon by state or federal authorities to address significant public safety concerns. This position was evident when she called for the deployment of the Guard following a major security incident involving law enforcement personnel.
In considering National Guard actions, she has also addressed the need for robust legal protection for service members acting under orders, suggesting that they require assurance against negative consequences for their actions while performing duties. Furthermore, her commentary has sometimes linked the perceived lack of decisive federal action, such as during a border crisis, to the necessity of state-level forces, including the National Guard, to step in and manage the situation.
Key Quotes
“If (Biden) is willing to do that, and to take away my authority as governor as commander in chief of those National Guard (troops), boy, we do have a war on our hands,”
If they "don't figure out how to protect our law enforcement officers and protect our Coast Guard members, that we would be forced to come in and protect those individuals,"
Frequently Asked Questions
Kristi Noem is a strong advocate for deploying the National Guard when necessary to address significant public safety threats. She believes they should be readily available to maintain order during civil unrest or border emergencies. Her stance emphasizes the need for decisive action from these state-controlled forces.
There is no indication that Kristi Noem has changed her core position regarding the utility and necessity of the National Guard. She consistently supports their use for securing the border and assisting in domestic security operations. Her statements reflect a continued belief in their role as a crucial layer of defense and order maintenance.
Kristi Noem has stated that National Guard members acting under orders need robust legal protection against potential negative consequences for their actions. She emphasized this point following an incident where service members were shot while on duty. Her view is that they must be supported when performing their duties.
Sources6
Gigafact: Fact Brief: Kristi Noem, National Guard, LA protests
Kristi Noem says D.C. National Guard was 'radicalized' after asylum seeker shooting
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen...
Kristi Noem X Post on National Guard Shooting
Watch: Noem warns National Guard could be deployed after truck ramming incident in San Francisco
Kristi Noem discusses Trump, National Guard on 'Face the Nation'
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.