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Kristi Noem Faces Backlash Over $640,000 in Taxpayer-Funded Travel Expenses

Newly released records reveal controversial charges and raise questions about fiscal responsibility during her tenure as South Dakota governor.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gives a joint press conference with Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia after signing a Biometric Data Sharing Program Letter of Intent in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025.
FILE - Gov. Kristi Noem, R-SD., speaks during the Republican National Convention Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
FILE - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem visits the U.S. border with Mexico on Monday, July 26, 2021, near McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves, File)
FILE - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem reacts to the crowd prior to remarks from Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

Overview

  • Kristi Noem, now Homeland Security Secretary, billed South Dakota taxpayers over $640,000 for travel-related expenses as governor, including $150,000 for non-state business activities.
  • Recent records detail contentious charges, such as a $2,000 flight change fee and $21 hotel-room movie purchases, sparking criticism from South Dakota Republicans.
  • Noem's office defended the expenses, citing security needs for high-profile officials, though critics argue the spending lacks transparency and justification.
  • The Dakota Scout lawsuit led to the release of over 3,000 pages of heavily redacted travel records, exposing trips linked to political and personal activities.
  • The controversy has intensified scrutiny of Noem's fiscal management as she oversees the Department of Homeland Security's substantial budget and operations.