“I think he’s going to run. And if President Trump runs, I’m going to support him,” Noem told chief Washington correspondent Maj. Garrett on this week’s episode of “The Takeout.”
Noem has long supported the former president and is widely seen as a potential vice presidential pick should Trump win the Republican nomination for a third term.
But he takes issue with Trump’s brash and often deceitful approach to politics that relies heavily on personal insults against perceived enemies. “I can’t fix that for him. I’ve said many, many times that’s one of the things I don’t appreciate about him,” Noem said, continuing to praise him for his handling of the COVID pandemic. In her state, Noem has refused to implement mask mandates, social distancing or vaccine requirements, setting South Dakota apart from the vast majority of states, but according to some Republican governors. Two of the nation’s most prominent Republican governors, Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSandis of Florida, have gone further and banned private companies from imposing vaccine requirements. Noem said she didn’t like the vaccine requirements, but she wouldn’t expand the government’s reach by interfering in private business affairs. “I believe in personal freedom,” Noem said, adding that she has no regrets about handling the virus. South Dakota ranks in the middle of the pack for per capita deaths from COVID. Noem called COVID vaccines “incredibly unproven” but revealed that she was vaccinated. At this point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 72% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The White House COVID Response Team continues to remind Americans that vaccination is the nation’s most important weapon against serious infection, hospitalization and death. “Many of the outcomes are not necessarily locked in, and we need to continue to see the long-term effects of what we develop and what we propose,” Noem said.
Noem said she has watched “very little” since the Jan. 6 committee hearings. “I don’t spend any time watching these hearings.” He said the attack on Capitol Hill was a “horrific day” and declined to say whether President Trump bears any responsibility. “I think there are aspects of that day that all of us should use to examine ourselves. And I know President Trump has as well.” Noem criticized the structure of the House committee investigating the insurgency, which is made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans. As for whether high-profile witnesses like former White House counsel Pat Ciopolone and former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson are telling the truth, Noem said, “I think they’d like to be honest there.” Executive Producer: Arden Farhi Producers: Jamie Benson, Jacob Rosen, Sara Cook and Eleanor Watson CBSN Production: Eric Soussanin Show Email: [email protected]: @TakeoutPodcastInstagram: @TakeoutPodcastFacebook: Facebook.com/TakeoutPodcast