Noems office responds to criticism about choice not to activate SD National Guard for flooding [Video]

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On Thursday, Gov. Kristi Noem’s chief of communications shared a statement addressing the decision not to activate the South Dakota National Guard in response to significant flooding in the state.

Ian Fury wrote that Gov. Noem’s choice not to activate the South Dakota National Guard wasn’t because of the cost, as Gov. Noem said in a press conference in Yankton this week. Fury stated this remark was taken out of context, and expense was one of multiple factors considered.

Fury stated that local government must make a request for National Guard troops to be deployed, and no request was made.

According to Noem’s office, there are limitations on what National Guard soldiers can do to assist in these situations, and this past week’s weather event did not warrant their deployment.

Noem said in a press conference that the National Guard is reserved for …