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6d ago

South Dakota Unveils Life‑Size Bronze of Kristi Noem With Her Horse

The ceremonial addition to the Trail of Governors reopened scrutiny of a roughly $286,000 DHS promotional ad that prompted a Senate inquiry into Noem's spending.

Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is now memorialized in bronze. The former Homeland Security Secretary's life-sized statue honoring her governorship was unveiled on Friday in Pierre, South Dakota. (KSFY via CNN Newsource)
{p}Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is now memorialized in bronze. The former Homeland Security Secretary's life-sized statue honoring her governorship was unveiled on Friday in Pierre, South Dakota. (KSFY via CNN Newsource){/p}
{p}Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is now memorialized in bronze. The former Homeland Security Secretary's life-sized statue honoring her governorship was unveiled on Friday in Pierre, South Dakota. (KSFY via CNN Newsource){/p}
{p}Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is now memorialized in bronze. The former Homeland Security Secretary's life-sized statue honoring her governorship was unveiled on Friday in Pierre, South Dakota. (KSFY via CNN Newsource){/p}

Overview

  • The Trail of Governors in Pierre unveiled the life‑size bronze of Kristi Noem standing beside a full‑size horse named Iceman on Friday, August 7, 2026.
  • Sculptor John Lopez created the statue and artist David Uhl painted Noem’s official portrait, both paid for through donations managed by the Trail of Governors Foundation.
  • Senators Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal had previously detailed about $286,137 in DHS ad and production expenses tied to Noem, listing items such as labor fees, a signing bonus, videography, horse rentals, and hair and makeup services.
  • The unveiling drew widespread online ridicule and commentary that revived past controversies about Noem’s personal conduct and her time at DHS.
  • Noem resigned as South Dakota governor in 2025 to become Homeland Security Secretary, left the department after a March Senate hearing that questioned her use of funds, and now serves as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a sequence that helps explain why the statue’s appearance triggered renewed political scrutiny.