The White House has strongly criticized comments made by Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota and a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump, wherein she threatened to harm or kill Joe Biden’s dog.
During a White House briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s press secretary, labeled Noem’s remarks as “disturbing” and “absurd,” stating, “This is a country that loves dogs, and you have a leader that talks about putting dogs down, killing them.”
Noem’s controversial comments stem from her campaign book, “No Going Back,” which gained attention after revelations about her account of shooting her dog Cricket and an unnamed goat. Despite widespread backlash, including speculation that her chances of being named Trump’s running mate were extinguished, Noem doubled down on her remarks.
In the book, Noem goes beyond detailing the incident with Cricket and the goat, envisioning what she would do as president in 2025. She disturbingly suggests ensuring Joe Biden’s dog is not present on the White House grounds, indicating a threat towards Commander, the Biden’s German shepherd. Noem, however, welcomes her own dog, Foster, to the White House in her hypothetical scenario.
Noem has defended her remarks, citing them as evidence of her readiness to make tough decisions, both in farm life and in politics. The incident involving Commander biting Secret Service agents was also brought into the debate, with Noem questioning the consequences of the dog’s actions.
Despite attempts to shift focus to other matters such as Covid-19 in South Dakota, questions persist about the sincerity of Noem’s narrative, especially as discrepancies arise, such as her claim of meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, which has been debunked.
While Noem remains a figure of interest for potential political roles, including vice presidency, her recent controversial remarks have sparked debate and criticism from various quarters, including the White House.
