WATCH: Noem says states 'get involved on foreign policy issues' because Biden is 'failing'

Heather Hamilton

March 24, 06:19 AM March 24, 06:24 AM

Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) said she and several other governors must be “aggressive” in dealing with foreign policy because “our federal government and president are failing.”

Noem was the first governor to ban TikTok from state devices and servers when she did so in South Dakota, prompting more than 30 other states to do the same. This week, the Republican governor also signed a bill into law that bars state and local governments from contracting with "evil foreign governments."

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“I hope other states will follow that as well,” Noem told Hannity. “Listen, the only reason [states] feel we have to be so aggressive, is because our federal government and president are failing. They are endangering the American people, they are weak. And so, governors have a responsibility, a duty, to protect our people. That’s why you see us getting so engaged on foreign policy issues.”

Noem praised the recent hearings held in Congress over security and privacy risks presented by TikTok.

“It’s been great to see them hold hearings finally and to be talking about this important issue,” Noem said. “Recognize that Chinese Communist Party will put its people through hell in order to keep them in bondage. I hope the American people are willing to be just a little bit inconvenienced to protect their freedom — because that’s what this is about.”

“It’s about giving up an app to not allow our enemies to spy on us and manipulate our children and to use algorithms to influence us,” the South Dakota governor added. “It’s incredibly important that we take action like this. I’m so grateful other states are taking action and the federal government, as well.”

Noem noted that South Dakota is considering legislation she brought forth that would ban China from buying land in her state.

When asked about whether her actions to stand for such foreign policy concerns were indicative of any consideration toward a 2024 bid for the White House, Noem side-stepped the question.

“I am considering going to bed in a few hours when I get done with all my work today,” Noem said, before adding that she wants “somebody who recognizes the responsibility of the job, how important it is right now to do it for the right reasons.”

“We need a different president than the one we’ve got,” Noem said. “I think we’ve got to get the right leader in this country so we all get the chance to wake up safe tomorrow morning.”

DeSantis team cautions against new presidential PAC as musings about 2024 bid grow

Ryan King

November 19, 04:32 PM November 19, 04:32 PM

Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) team is seeking to drill home that they have nothing to do with the "Ron to the Rescue" political action committee touting him as a 2024 contender.

Warning donors about the nascent PAC, DeSantis's legal counsel explained that, like a number of other pro-DeSantis PACs, it formed "without his permission or authorization" and underscored solicitations from "Ron to the Rescue" will not benefit his political apparatus.

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"It is important to make clear to supporters that Governor DeSantis and his team are not affiliated with the 'Ron to the Rescue' PAC, have not authorized it to conduct any activity on their behalf, and contributions made to the 'Ron to the Rescue' PAC will not benefit Governor DeSantis or his agenda," DeSantis's legal counsel Benjamin Gibson wrote in a letter to donors, per WHD News.

"Ron to the Rescue" has begun cutting ads hailing DeSantis as the "DeFuture" and rallying supporters to fight to make him the next commander in chief. The group was founded by GOP strategist John Thomas, according to WHD News.

Thomas has similarly emphasized that the PAC has not coordinated with the DeSantis team and is simply striving to elevate him on the 2024 political stage. Notably, the Federal Election Commission rules provide strict governance restricting any coordination between candidates and PACs.

"Whether well-intentioned or not, the organizers of these PACs have not been in contact with DeSantis leadership and such efforts may create confusion amongst supporters of the Governor and his policies," Gibson said.

Fervor over the prospect of DeSantis entering the 2024 fray reached a fever pitch after the dismal Republican showing in the midterm elections. An outcry of conservatives began to blame former President Donald Trump for the party's less-than-stellar performance in what had been expected to be a red-wave year.

Many of them pointed to DeSantis's strong showing in Florida as a bright spot and swooped to him as an alternative to Trump, who debuted his 2024 campaign on Tuesday in Florida and has already begun firing off attacks toward DeSantis, his speculated rival.

"Since the Governor is not a candidate for President at this time, we've stepped up to the plate to advocate and organize Americans who feel passionately that we need Ron DeSantis leading our nation," Thomas told WHD News. "The intention of our group is to lay the groundwork and harness the energy for Ron DeSantis."

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DeSantis has been largely mum on whether he plans to throw his hat in the 2024 presidential arena. Responding to one of Trump's fiery diatribes against him, the Florida governor pointed to the "scoreboard" on Election Day.

"At the end of the day, I would just tell people to go check out the scoreboard from last Tuesday night. The fact of the matter is, it was the greatest Republican victory in the history of the state of Florida," DeSantis said.

Polling had consistently pegged him as the top potential challenger to Trump in a Republican primary.