Many are questioning the legality of Noem putting the SDNG out for hire
UPDATE: You can see now Noem is backtracking on her ‘donation claims’;
Johnson would not disclose the amount of the donation. He said he has not donated to pay for any other National Guard deployments.
“Governor Noem welcomes any such donations to help alleviate the cost of South Dakota taxpayers,†Fury told Dakota News Now. He also said South Dakota law allows the governor to accept donations that are in the “best interests†of the state.
In other words, it will go into state coffers and NOT towards the Guard, we will still be footing that bill. I wonder how Noem will explain to Guard family members if one of the deployed gets injured in this little war game of hers?
Many eyebrows are being raised if Noem can take donations to fund the SD National Guard. The Guard itself is clear about it;
In general, it’s legal for private citizens to donate money to governments, though it’s uncommon that the donations are earmarked for something as specific as a Guard deployment.
The Guard also has made this statement;
“While we appreciate the many offers and people who care about our soldiers and airmen, we are not logistically able to accept donations of any kind.”
Of course Noem claims this;
When officials deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. after the attack on the Capitol, the price tag was nearly $500 million for two months. It included the cost of their travel, salaries, healthcare and other fees. Presumably, Johnson’s contribution is less than that and for far fewer guard troops. Fury said that the donation “was made directly to the state of South Dakota.” He went on to say that the governor welcomes any handouts to run their Guard.
If we really are getting the donation, how many actually believe this will trickle down to the Guard? Let’s face it, it is smoke a mirrors and in all reality, while Noem has the legal authority to send troops to Texas, I’m not sure I believe the private donation BS. Either way, our troops are not a private army that are guns for hire. I just wish her staffers would stop hitting her with the stupid crazy stick.