South Dakota GOP Senator Mike Rounds expressed concerns that Governor Kristi Noem’s admission of shooting a dog on her family farm could potentially harm her reputation with voters if she were chosen as former President Donald Trump’s running mate. Rounds emphasized that putting down a dog is a personal and private decision that should not be taken lightly, and that the details of the incident being made public could be detrimental to Noem’s political image. Noem herself openly shared in her book the circumstances leading to the shooting of her dog Cricket, citing the animal as untrainable and dangerous.
The revelation of Noem’s dog shooting incident has sparked discussions about how this could impact her chances of being picked as Trump’s vice president. Rounds noted that the story could be a point of contention among voters who view their pets as valued family members. While Noem tied for first choice in a conservative poll for potential running mates, the shooting of her dog may complicate her standing within the Republican party, especially among those who value animal welfare and empathy.
Fellow South Dakotans in Congress had varying responses to the controversial revelation. Senate Minority Whip John Thune refrained from making strong comments, stating that Noem has addressed the issue herself and he does not have any additional observations. Thune also expressed uncertainty about how the incident could affect Noem’s chances of being selected as Trump’s running mate, emphasizing that the decision ultimately lies with the former president. Representative Dusty Johnson defended Noem, asserting that decisions like putting down animals are not uncommon in rural America.
In response to the backlash, Noem defended her actions by highlighting the realities of farm life and the tough decisions that come with it. She explained that difficult choices, such as putting down animals, are a part of daily life on a farm. Noem also referenced a similar situation involving horses that had to be put down recently. Despite the criticism, Noem stood by her decision and indicated that her upcoming book, “No Going Back,” would contain more candid and politically incorrect stories that challenge mainstream narratives.
The controversy surrounding Noem’s admission of shooting her dog drew comparisons to other political figures and their relationships with animals. Senator Mitt Romney, who faced criticism for his treatment of a dog during his 2012 presidential campaign, made a veiled dig at Trump by highlighting his own compassionate treatment of animals. It remains to be seen how the revelation of Noem’s actions will impact her political future and whether it will ultimately affect her chances of being chosen as Trump’s running mate. Despite differing opinions within Congress, the incident has raised questions about the intersection of personal decisions, rural life, and political aspirations.
