Kristi Noem has built a political brand around toughness and conservative values, but behind the slogans lies a troubling record of self-dealing, ethical breaches, and authoritarian overreach. From personally profiting off political donations to undermining federal law enforcement, Noem’s behavior raises serious questions about her fitness for public office. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Secret Payments

In 2023, while she was South Dakota’s governor, Noem quietly funneled 10% of donations — roughly $80,000 — from the nonprofit American Resolve Policy Fund into her personal Delaware LLC, Ashwood Strategies. She failed to disclose this income on her federal ethics forms when joining Trump’s cabinet, despite being legally required to.

By mentioning her LLC but omitting the payment, Noem hid a personal payday connected to a political fundraising vehicle, a clear-cut ethics violation and a massive red flag for anyone who values transparency.

2. Pressured Officials to Give Her Daughter a Real Estate License

When her daughter’s real estate appraiser license was denied, Noem intervened directly, summoning state employees, her daughter, and top officials to the governor’s mansion. Days later, the license denial was reversed and the agency head was effectively forced out of her position.

The result? A $200,000 taxpayer-funded settlement and a state ethics inquiry. This isn’t just bad optics, it’s blatant nepotism and abuse of executive power for personal family gain.

3. Luxurious Personal Spending on the Taxpayers’ Dime

Noem has a history of treating public funds like a personal account. She spent over $60,000 decorating the governor’s mansion, including luxury items like saunas and chandeliers. On top of that, she billed more than $640,000 in state-paid travel, including trips to Paris, Canada, and Texas.

While South Dakota citizens worked through real economic struggles, Noem prioritized image, luxury, and vanity projects, with the public paying her bill.

4. Pushing Extremist Conspiracy Theories

As Homeland Security Secretary, Noem publicly accused the FBI of leaking details of a planned ICE raid, calling the agency corrupt. The FBI forcefully denied the accusation, calling it “deeply irresponsible” and noting no evidence supports her claim. Her rhetoric fans the flames of far-right conspiracy theories and undermines public confidence in government.

This is part of a broader pattern: inflammatory posturing to energize a political base, even if it damages institutions and public trust. 

5. Created Divisions Between Tribal Nations and the State

Noem accused tribal leaders of profiting from drug cartels on Native reservations without offering a shred of evidence. As a result, Indigenous leaders across South Dakota condemned the comments as racially charged and false, with tribes barring her from their land entirely. 

Rather than engaging Native nations with respect and diplomacy, Noem chose division and scapegoating, deepening historical wounds and undermining tribal sovereignty. 

From enriching herself on political donations to manipulating state resources for her personal gain, Noem’s record is a severe breach of public trust and ethical governance. She’s essentially profiting from her own political rise, further showing her lack of accountability.