SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — With Sen. John Thune becoming Senate Majority Leader and Gov. Kristi Noem nominated for the Secretary of Homeland Security, there will be South Dakotans in some high-profile positions in Washington D.C.
The name of another South Dakota officeholder has been thrown out there. I reached out to the Attorney General’s Office Thursday and was told Marty Jackley was traveling.
So when we connected over Zoom, my first question was… ‘where are you?’
“I’m in Mar-a-Lago,” said Jackley.
Yes, that Mar-a-Lago. South Dakota’s Attorney General is at President-elect Donald Trump’s home in Florida. So, the obvious question is what is he doing there?
“I’m part of a group of former United States Attorneys and Attorneys General having a conversation about the transition and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and where it goes from here,” said Jackley.
Jackley says there has been some discussion that the DOJ has become too political.
“This administration and the change that is coming, people are excited about it, people are being responsible about it, obviously we are having good conversations with former U.S. Attorneys and Attorneys General about what the Department of Justice should look like,” said Jackley.
We asked Jackley about his name being mentioned in South Dakota among those being considered for U.S. Attorney General.
Tom: So, the Attorney General of South Dakota is at Mar-a-Lago, that begs the question is anything else going on?
“Right now I would say it is nice to be thought of for other positions but for me, the best role I have, other than being a dad, is serving as South Dakota’s Attorney General. Getting to be that strong voice for public safety across South Dakota. I enjoy being the Attorney General and I’m going to stay right here,” he said.
And that means staying in Pierre.
Also in Pierre, Larry Rhoden will presumably become Governor when when Noem leaves for Washington, D.C.
Rhoden is considered a possible Republican candidate for Governor in 2026. Although Jackley won’t say, given his experience and service to the state many consider him a possible contender for that position as well.
