Politics
A look back at Trump’s DHS candidate’s puppy-killing controversy
Kristi Noem is Donald Trump’s nominee to become Department of Homeland Security secretary. She became controversial for killing her puppy for misbehaving.
Kristi Noem, the current governor of South Dakota, is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to become the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
As she awaits her Senate confirmation, here’s a look at the puppy-killing controversy she was involved in.
Noem took the spotlight when her name was floated as a possible running mate during Trump’s recent presidential bid.
With so much attention focused on her at the time, many pointed out revelations in her memoir, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.”
In this book, Noem candidly shares a controversial incident from her past: killing her dog, Cricket.
READ ALSO: Kristi Noem to lead Trump’s DHS
What is the dog-related controversy surrounding Kristi Noem all about?
Noem unapologetically stated that she made the choice to shoot and kill her 14-month-old wire-haired pointer, Cricket, because of her pet’s aggressive personality and because she was “untrainable.” She wrote that the dog ruined a hunt and attacked chickens.
The confession caused a strong reaction and received criticism from individuals with varying political beliefs. Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of “The View” and a former Donald Trump White House staffer, expressed her opinion that dogs are a divine blessing.
“Dogs are a gift from God. They’re a reflection of his unconditional love. Anyone who would needlessly hurt an animal because they are inconvenient needs help.”
The Democratic National Committee described the governor’s statements as deeply horrifying and disturbing, but Noem defended her decision, saying that making tough choices is a regular occurrence on a farm.
Noem’s puppy-killing issue sparked worries regarding her eligibility as a vice presidential candidate when she was still being considered for the post, and these concerns continue to be valid now that she is likely to end up heading the second-largest government agency in the United States.
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