“They Said I Was KILLING People” - DHS Sec Kristi Noem DOUBLES DOWN On DEFYING COVID Lockdowns

South Dakota’s Response to COVID-19 & Confronting Chinese Influence: A Detailed Account

Key Concepts:

• Constitutional Governance: Basing decisions on constitutional rights and limitations of state power.
• Personal Responsibility: Empowering citizens to make informed decisions regarding their health and safety.
• Economic Freedom: Prioritizing business operations and minimizing government intervention in the economy.
• National Security (Food Supply): Protecting the US food supply chain from foreign control, specifically China.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguarding US agricultural technology and genetics from theft.
• State Leadership & Influence: The impact of one state’s policies on national trends and other states.

I. South Dakota’s Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Governor of South Dakota detailed her approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing a philosophy rooted in individual liberty and limited government intervention. Unlike many other states, South Dakota never implemented business closures or statewide mask mandates, nor did it order citizens to stay at home. This decision was based on a thorough assessment of the potential economic and constitutional consequences of such measures.

The Governor explained that her team, including general counsel, the lieutenant governor, and staff, analyzed the impact of lockdowns on businesses and individual rights. She specifically highlighted the concept of a “taking” – the idea that forcing businesses to close would be a violation of their property rights, potentially leading to lawsuits against the state.

She stated, “Every decision that we made in South Dakota was based on the constitution and that that was where our true foundation was going to be.” She further asserted she “didn’t have any right to go shut down a business in South Dakota.”

Despite facing intense criticism from national media outlets (including Saturday Night Live and figures like Elizabeth Warren and Rachel Maddow), and even warnings from the federal government predicting over 300,000 deaths in the state, South Dakota maintained its course. The Governor reported that the state ultimately experienced a lower loss of life than many others, while its economy thrived and population grew. She attributed this success to trusting citizens to exercise personal responsibility.

II. Addressing Chinese Influence in Agriculture & Technology

The Governor addressed the growing concern of Chinese investment in US agricultural land and technology. She expressed a deep concern that control of the US food supply by a foreign power, specifically China, would jeopardize national security.

She described a decades-long pattern of China acquiring US assets in the agricultural sector, including chemical and fertilizer companies, stealing agricultural genetics and intellectual property (IP), and purchasing farmland. She stated, “The country that controls our food supply uh will control us and that that is China's goal every day is to control the United States of America.”

In response, South Dakota enacted legislation to ban Chinese ownership of farmland within the state. She also took the first-in-the-nation step of banning TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media platform, from state government devices to prevent potential data breaches and security risks. She noted that President Trump later followed suit with more aggressive action against TikTok nationally.

The Governor indicated that other governors contacted her seeking guidance on how to replicate South Dakota’s policies. She emphasized the importance of proactive measures to protect the US food supply chain and national security.

III. Legislative Influence & State Leadership

The Governor highlighted the influence of South Dakota’s policies on other states. She cited the example of a law banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, which served as a model for legislation in over a dozen other states. She explained that the law was carefully crafted to withstand legal challenges and provide a strong legal precedent.

She observed that during daily conference calls with other governors during the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized that even a small state like South Dakota could exert significant influence by demonstrating strong leadership and making principled decisions.

She connected this state-level leadership to the broader impact of President Trump’s policies, noting that his “bold decisions to protect his country and to embrace freedom” were influencing leaders and policies in Europe, Central America, and South America. She argued that a strong stance on law and order, secure borders, and a robust economy benefits not only the US but also the world.

IV. Data & Statistics Mentioned

• Chinese Land Ownership: Approximately 277,000 to 300,000 acres of US farmland are owned by entities with ties to the Chinese government.
• South Dakota Acreage: South Dakota has over 40 million acres dedicated to agriculture.
• Federal Prediction: The federal government predicted over 300,000 COVID-19 deaths in South Dakota if the state implemented lockdowns.

V. Synthesis & Conclusion

The Governor’s account underscores the importance of constitutional governance, individual liberty, and proactive national security measures. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and in confronting Chinese influence demonstrates the potential for states to serve as laboratories of democracy and to exert significant influence on national and international policy. The core takeaway is that trusting citizens, prioritizing economic freedom, and safeguarding critical infrastructure like the food supply are essential for a thriving and secure nation. Her experience suggests that bold leadership, even in the face of intense criticism, can yield positive results and inspire others to embrace similar principles.