The clearest critique of Noem’s conjecture about a shooting is, unwittingly, from her successor

By: Seth Tupper

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: January 29, 2026

Words: 569

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

For yet another reminder of what a poor job Kristi Noem is doing, just ask her handpicked replacement as governor of South Dakota.

Not directly, mind you. Larry Rhoden will defend her to the hilt if asked about her by name.

But ask him indirectly, or just let him talk awhile, and he’ll criticize her actions without even realizing he’s doing it.

That happened often during the beginning of his tenure as governor, when he …

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