‘Leadership Has Consequences’: Kristi Noem Jabs Democrats On Disaster Aid, But Promises Not To Politicize It

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R), President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Department of Homeland Security, promised to deliver aid to all Americans despite political leanings during her confirmation hearing on Friday. Noem was pressed on the topic by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who asked Noem for a simple “yes” or “no” answer to the question after she initially began to waiver.

“I assume you will agree with me that withholding disaster relief by President Trump or any other chief executive of the United States is a violation of his duty and of law?” Blumenthal asked of Noem, who would oversee FEMA in her role.

Noem replied, “Well, Senator, leadership has consequences. And looking at the tragedy that’s happened–”

Blumenthal cut in, “I want to ask you a yes or no. With all due respect, it’s an easy–”

Noem quickly added, “What’s happening in California is the ramification of many decisions over many years. But under my leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, there will be no political bias to how disaster relief is delivered to the American people.”

“Though if President Trump were to say to you, we’re going to withhold money from Connecticut or Michigan or any of the states, Iowa, because we don’t like the governor or we don’t like the politics of the state. You would stand up to him and say, Mr. President, we need to allocate that money?” Blumenthal pressed.

“Well, Senator, in three days, President Trump will take an oath to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law in this country. And he will do that. And I’ll be glad to have him back. And I don’t speak to hypotheticals, which is what you’re asking me to do. But what I will tell you is that as secretary, I will do the same. I will deliver the programs as the–” Noem said as Blumenthal jumped back in.

“Well, it’s not hypothetical, with all due respect, and I apologize for interrupting you, but my time is limited. As you know, as a veteran of these hearings. It’s more than a hypothetical. It’s based on experience with President Trump withholding money from Washington state and elsewhere,” concluded the senator.

In recent days, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has parroted Trump’s call to condition aid to rebuild fire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles on other political considerations.

Blumenthal citation of Trump withholding aid from Washington State refers back to 2020 wildfires devastating the eastern part of the state. Politico reported on the aftermath:

In early September 2020, wildfires tore through eastern Washington state, obliterating tens of millions of dollars of property, displacing hundreds of rural residents and killing a 1-year-old boy.

But then-President Donald Trump refused to act on Gov. Jay Inslee’s request for $37 million in federal disaster aid because of a bitter personal dispute with the Democratic governor, an investigation by POLITICO’s E&E News shows.

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.