SIOUX FALLS S.D. (NEXSTAR)– Gov. Kristi Noem is on Capitol Hill meeting with Republicans and Democrats ahead of her confirmation hearings to become the Secretary of Homeland Security.
“You know president Trump campaigned on making America great again, but also making America safe again and so that’s what the majority of our conversation has been,” Noem said in a press gaggle. You can watch the 2-minute interaction with reporters in Washington D.C. below.
During Wednesday’s impromptu interview, Noem was asked about a CNN story published Wednesday citing McCook Lake resident Shelly Lewis criticizing Noem’s response to the June flooding.
The CNN story quotes Lewis as “a longtime supporter of Noem.”
“She was not here for us. This is my home. You ignored your state,” Lewis said in the CNN story.
Noem’s office did not comment in the CNN story.
On Wednesday, she criticized the story for leaving out “some incrediblly importation on the 1,000-year flood.” Noem said the story was “absolutely not true whatsoever.”
She said the McCook Lake families went through something “extremely tragic” and the state continues to work through the FEMA process to bring them resources they need.
KELOLAND News reported how Noem flew more than 1,500 miles on June 23 while dealing with the McCook Lake flooding situation. More than 100 homes were damaged with the flooding at McCook Lake and 26 houses were total losses.
Noem has also defended her decision not to activate the National Guard to respond to the flood cleanup.
