Outside the Beltway

“Kristi Noem” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

In Front of Our Noses: Noem’s Liberation Promises

The authoritarian rhetoric continues.

Steven L. Taylor
15

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“Kristi Noem” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”-George Orwell.

For previous entries, click here.

It seems worth noting, even as we continue to digest what happened to Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), to look at what DHS Secretary Noem said yesterday.

Via NBC Los Angeles: Kristi Noem blames Democratic officials for making ICE raids in LA harder.

While holding a news conference in Los Angeles, Noem pledged to continue with immigration operations in LA while warning violent protesters of arrest and prosecution.

“We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this Governor Newsom and this mayor placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city,” Noem said, echoing President Trump’s criticism against California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. 

This should be obvious, but just in case, let me note: Newsom and Bass are duly elected officials. They do not occupy, in a military sense, their offices. It is not Homeland Security’s job to “liberate” the state or the city.

This rhetoric would be bad enough if the claims were to “liberate” LA from the protestors, but the notion that they are there to “liberate” the city from elected officials is beyond the pale.

Bonus points for tossing out “socialist” as part of the rant.

Side note: it is extremely difficult to take Kristi Noem’s complaints about political theater. Let’s remember she flew to El Salvador to do glamor shots in front of men likely in prison for life under torturous conditions.

But sure, get upset about a US Senator wanting to ask questions.

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15 responses to “In Front of Our Noses: Noem’s Liberation Promises”

  1. Matt Bernius Avatar
    Matt Bernius

    This gets to an important point with the criticism that Senator Padilla was intending to provoke a confirmation.

    First, it’s clear that–as with other forms of nonviolent protest–it was his intent to confront Noem.

    And it’s also clear that this entire situation in California, from the start, was the Trump administration confronting Newsone and Bass with the intent to spark a response.

    If someone wants to criticize Padilla about his tactics then they should be prepared to do the same for the administration as well.

    11
  2. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Seeing as the convicted felon in DC didn’t get a majority of the popular vote, has a high disapproval rating, and is working on passing unpopular legislation, shouldn’t the “liberation” begin there?

    5
  3. JohnSF Avatar
    JohnSF

    .

    .. the socialist and burdensome leadership that this Governor Newsom and this mayor placed on this country ,,,

    So Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are, in fact, advocating the exproriation of the capitalists, in order to end the exploitation of the workers, and direction of all economic and legal relations by the state?
    And were able to impose this upon the entire country?
    Big if true.

    Alternatively, pehaps, Noem is just a flap-jawed nitwit?
    Rather less surprising news.

    9
  4. DK Avatar
    DK

    Here in California, we voted for Newsom. We voted three times against Trump. We’ll sooner liberate ourselves from dog killing, botched-face psycho Noem than from Newsom. We don’t want her here, she should get out of Los Angeles.

    11
  5. CSK Avatar
    CSK

    @JohnSF:

    I’ll take “flap-jawed nitwit” for $500, Alex.

    11
  6. Gustopher Avatar
    Gustopher

    I was just reminded today that Noem was responsible for the famous “Meth, We’re On It!” (anti?) drug campaign while governor of a Dakota.

    More people need to be shamed and mocked out of public life for stupid things they’re responsible for.

    5
  7. Kingdaddy Avatar
    Kingdaddy

    Whether or not the label “performative” is fair to Senator Padilla, it’s definitely applicable to Secretary Noem’s perpetual cosplay machine.

    Also, she could have very easily said, “Thank you for coming. I see that you’re concerned, but I’d like to finish my prepared statement first. Then I’d be glad to answer your question.” But that takes grace and confidence, something she clearly lacks.

    Also, roughing up a US Senator is about as performative as you can get, in the darkest sense.

    13
  8. JohnSF Avatar
    JohnSF

    @Kingdaddy:
    I cannot recall, from my US history, of any examples of US executive officials treating a US senotor in such a fashion.

    Or the Senate not responding with immediate demands for impeachment.

    The British Parliament would erupt if any Member was treated in such a fashion.

    6
  9. Gustopher Avatar
    Gustopher

    @JohnSF: I expect this is why the Administration response was to immediately lie, and say that Padilla did not identify himself, that he barged into the room and lunged at Noem.

    Yes, there is video showing the exact opposite, but if there is some dispute, even a completely fabricated dispute, it gives people,e who would otherwise feel obligated to speak up or do something even if they didn’t want to the cover to do nothing.

    We”re up to the point where the Administration’s security feels entitled to manhandle opposition senators, but not at the point where the Administration feels it can do so openly and boastfully.

    (Is it bad that I’m hoping Consitution Ave collapses into the sewer running below it?)

    5
  10. Scott F. Avatar
    Scott F.

    @Gustopher:

    We”re up to the point where the Administration’s security feels entitled to manhandle opposition senators, but not at the point where the Administration feels it can do so openly and boastfully.

    I think it safe to say the Trump administration is testing the boundaries of the line they are wanting to cross.

    5
  11. Daryl Avatar
    Daryl

    The arrogance of this group is staggering. And there is, as far as I can tell, no reason for it.
    Newsome won the ‘22 election, after a recall effort, 59-41%. Trump lost CA by 20 points.
    And they’re gonna liberate the state from officials elected by huge margins???
    What they really want to liberate is VOTES!!! And House seats.

    5
  12. Slugger Avatar
    Slugger

    Noem led a Keystone Kops raid on a home containing no criminals. https://www.thedailybeast.com/ice-barbie-kristi-noem-went-on-bungled-raid-storming-pregnant-moms-home/
    Of course, these exercises of pure power by the government against citizens are not really funny.

    4
  13. Rob1 Avatar
    Rob1

    We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership

    Those on the Right need to be slapped down every single time they make these scurrilous b.s. associations. Deprogramming the public begins now!

    3
  14. Eusebio Avatar
    Eusebio

    @Gustopher: “I expect this is why the Administration response was to immediately lie, and say that Padilla did not identify himself, that he barged into the room and lunged at Noem.”

    But since he’s on video clearly saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla,” reporting on this incident should have highlighted that Noem and other administration sources (DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, FBI spokesman Ben Williamson) are not being truthful, right?

    And it’s not just the maga news outlets. Last night’s NBC Nightly News spent several minutes on the story, but never noted that the Senator identified himself. Reporter Liz Kreutz just lazily passed along several adminstration statements…
    Noem: “people need to identify themselves before they start lunging at people at a press conference”
    Noem: “We sat down for 10 to 15 minutes and talked about… Nobody knew who he was”
    Reporter: The FBI released a statement…They say he didn’t identify himself”
    The reported concluded the story by saying, “And they say that once he was identified, he was released.”

    4
  15. Liberal Capitalist Avatar
    Liberal Capitalist

    All hail the new Federalism!

    States rights be damned!

    Ask not what your country will do for you… because it won’t. And it isn’t YOUR country.

    I, for one, welcome our new fascist overlords. And their bootheel in our face.

    /s

    1

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