Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, a potential vice-presidential pick for former President Donald J. Trump, found herself in the spotlight on Sunday as she faced tough questions about her stance on key issues such as the certification of the 2020 election and abortion exceptions.
During an interview on CNN, Noem refused to say whether she would have certified the election if she had been in Vice President Mike Pence’s position, dodging the question by emphasizing the need to focus on upholding the Constitution and protecting freedoms. She also criticized Pence for denouncing Trump after the events of January 6th.
On the topic of abortion, Noem, who previously supported a federal ban on abortion, now believes that restrictions should be left to individual states. She distanced herself from South Dakota’s near-total abortion ban, which does not include exceptions for rape and incest, stating that the law was passed before she became governor and that the people of South Dakota should decide on their laws.
When pressed about her personal beliefs on abortion exceptions, Noem implied that she might oppose a rape and incest exception, stating that she believes in taking care of mothers in crisis situations and providing them with information before resorting to abortion.
Noem also expressed support for Trump, dismissing the criminal charges against him in New York as political and affirming that she would continue to support him even if he were convicted of felonies. She emphasized the need for Trump to return to the White House, stating that she would do everything in her power to help him win.
As Noem navigates these controversial issues and positions herself as a potential running mate for Trump, her responses are sure to spark further debate and scrutiny as the political landscape continues to evolve.
