Kristi Noem bars local governments from working with ‘evil foreign governments,’ including China and Russia

Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican from South Dakota, has signed a bill into law that prohibits state and local governments from engaging with “evil foreign governments”, barring the countries’ parent entities as well.

The law builds on an earlier executive order from Noem that prohibited state agencies from executing contracts with a number of foreign entities.

The bill, known as SB 189, prohibits the working relationship between state and local governments with foreign parent entities from Cuba, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela, as well as the countries themselves.

“Our taxpayers’ dollars should not be revenue streams for evil foreign governments,” said Noem, adding that South Dakota will continue to lead by putting the security of its citizens first and preserving freedom for the next generation.

Gov. Noem has not ruled out running for president in 2024, but stated in January that she is not yet convinced that she needs to run for president. She believes that rather than making big statements and taking action for political gain, it’s important for people to focus on governing.