A Native American tribe in South Dakota lifted its deportation order against Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and expressed support for her nomination to serve as Homeland Security secretary in a letter Wednesday, Fox News Digital has learned.
Frondero Santee Sioux Tribe Chairman Toni Reade sent a letter to Noem on Wednesday, informing her that the tribe's executive committee voted to "cancel" Noem's removal in May and congratulating her on her election. Trump Cabinet Nominations.
The letter comes days before Noem is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing.
“I applaud President-elect Donald Trump for nominating you to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security and hereby support your nomination. I wish you well at your Senate confirmation hearing on January 17, 2025, and believe that "Your dedication to the safety and security of America will benefit us all," Reid's letter read, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital. "
South Dakota government bans Noem from tribal reservation over remarks about U.S. southern border
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump's nominee for Homeland Security Secretary, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on December 11, 2024, with Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott (not pictured) center) meeting. (Getty Images)
Last year, all nine Native tribes in South Dakota banned Noem from their reservations, angered by suggestions tribal leaders benefited from cartels and the immigration crisis and by comments about the future of Native children. The Frondero Santee Sioux Tribe was the last tribe to ban her.
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"Their children don't have any hope. They don't have parents who show up and help them. They have a tribal council or a president who is more focused on a political agenda than actually helping other people's lives get better." Noem posted last year 's comments drew criticism from the tribe.
Reid addressed the issue in a letter to Noem on Wednesday, explaining that the governor had apologized for her previous remarks and explained her comments.
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South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks before Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump takes the stage at the Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, March 16, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
“One of the provisions in the expulsion resolution was that you apologized for statements regarding tribal members and the education of tribal members’ children that were considered offensive by some. In several meetings before and after the resolution was passed, you did not merely explain your position, but you also sought advice on how to express such communications if your comments offended the Tribe, for which the Tribe and I appreciate it," Reade wrote.
Tribe slams South Dakota governor's claims leaders benefited from drug cartels
south dakota badlands national park (Bernie Friel/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The letter comes as Noem prepares for her Senate confirmation hearing Friday morning.
Trump announced Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security shortly after decisively defeating Kamala Harris, citing the Republican governor's efforts to secure the southern border under the Biden administration. Already overwhelmed by illegal border crossings.
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In the months since her nomination, Noem has garnered the support of at least eight police groups or unions, including one representing thousands of Border Patrol agents.
Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry It also called on Senate lawmakers, especially Democrats, to quickly confirm Noem in the wake of the New Year's Day terrorist attacks that rocked New Orleans.
The International Association of Firefighters, a large, historically Democratic union of firefighters, also recently endorsed Noem, saying she "understood emergency management and the importance of government responses to natural and man-made emergencies" during the wildfires that raged in Los Angeles.