Native tribe lifts Noem’s banishment before Senate confirmation hearing

A Native American tribe in South Dakota lifted its banishment Republican governor. Kristi Noem in a letter Wednesday, offering his support for her nomination to serve as secretary of Homeland Security, Fox News Digital has learned.

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Chairman Tony Reider wrote a letter to Noem on Wednesday informing her that the tribe’s executive committee voted to “remove the banishment” it placed on Noem in May and congratulated her for his nomination to President-elect Trump’s cabinet.

The letter comes just days before Noem is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for his confirmation hearing.

“I congratulate you on your nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, and I hereby support your nomination. I wish you the best of luck during your Senate confirmation hearing on January 17, 2025 and I believe that your dedication to the safety and security of the United States will benefit us all,” Reider’s letter states, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.

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All nine native tribes of South Dakota banned Noem from his reservations last year after outrage over his suggestion that tribal leaders profit from cartels and the immigration crisis and comments about the future of native children. The Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe was the last tribe to ban it.

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“Their children have no hope. They have no parents to show up and help them. They have a tribal council or a president who is focused on a political agenda more than they really care about helping someone’s life look better.” . Noem said last year in a comment that drew criticism from the tribes.

Reider addressed the issue in her letter to Noem on Wednesday, explaining that the governor has apologized for her earlier remarks and explained her comment.

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“One of the stipulations contained in the banishment resolution was that you apologize for comments that were made about tribal members and the education of tribal children, which some found offensive. In several meetings before and after of passing the resolution, not only did you explain your position, but you apologized if the comments offended the tribe. You also asked for advice on how to frame those communications moving forward, which the tribe and I appreciated.” to write raider

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The letter arrives as Noem prepares for it Senate confirmation hearing friday morning

Trump announced Noem as his pick to lead DHS shortly after his decisive victory over Kamala Harrisciting the Republican governor’s efforts to secure the southern border, which has been overwhelmed by illegal crossings under the Biden administration.

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In the months since his nominationNoem has garnered endorsements from at least eight police groups or unions, including a union representing thousands of Border Patrol agents.

Jeff Landry, Republican Governor of Louisiana he also called on Senate lawmakers, especially Democrats, to quickly confirm Noem after a terrorist attack rocked New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

The International Association of Firefighters, a large historically Democratic firefighters union, also recently endorsed Noem, arguing during the Los Angeles wildfires that he “understands emergency management and the importance of government response to both natural and as caused by man”.