Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is under fire after defending the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade even after being challenged with the horrific story of a pregnant 10-year-old Ohio rape victim forced to flee to another state to obtain an abortion in recent days.
Noem, a diehard supporter of former Republican President Donald Trump, who has long been suspected of having presidential ambitions herself, was repeatedly asked by CNN's Dana Bash whether she would force a child in South Dakota into a similar situation.
Noem refused to answer the question again and again, changing the subject instead to the Ohio girl's rapist.
\u201cDana Bash: Will the state of South Dakota going forward force a 10-year-old in that very same situation to have a baby? \n\nKristi Noem: In South Dakota, the law today is that abortions are illegal except to save the life of the mother.\n\n[that's a yes]\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1656855251
The story of the Ohio grade-schooler has shocked many across the nation and has served as a chilling warning of the impacts of the Supreme Court's decision now that abortion rights are no longer federally protected.
Ohio is one of many states with a so-called "trigger law" in place that took effect the moment Roe v. Wade was overturned, banning abortions in the state after six weeks without exception.
The 10-year-old rape victim was hence forced to go to Indiana, which is poised to ban abortion too but will not do so until its next legislative session on July 25.
Asked by Bash if Noem would force citizens of South Dakota, which also has a trigger law in place, into similar situations, she responded by changing the subject.
She told Bash:
“What’s incredible is that nobody’s talking about the pervert, horrible and deranged individual that raped a 10-year-old, and what are we doing about that?"
Given that is not at all the question Bash posed, Bash restated her query, to which Noem responded:
"Every single life is precious. This tragedy is horrific...
"But in South Dakota, the law today is that abortions are illegal except to save the life of the mother."
Bash countered by asking Noem if she would be okay with "a 10-year-old girl having to have a baby."
Noem responded:
"No, I would never be okay with that. In fact that story will keep me up at night..."
"I don't believe a tragic situation should be perpetuated by another tragedy."
Many found Noem's circular logic infuriating and shockingly cruel.
\u201c@atrupar This is what religious fanaticism looks like. \n\nIt's not always hijacking planes to fly into buildings or executing kneeling women in stadiums.\n\nhttps://t.co/4oL2nMzQl7\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1656855251
\u201cKristi Noem just said if a 10 year old girl is raped in South Dakota, she must carry her rapist\u2019s baby to term because \u201cevery life is precious.\u201d This is the GOP\u2019s official stance. Jamie Smith is the pro-choice Democrat running against Noem this November. Vote for @RepJamieSmith.\u201d— Dash Dobrofsky (@Dash Dobrofsky) 1656856773
\u201c@atrupar The saddest part about this is we will see more cases of children being forced to give birth in red states because their Governor\u2019s agenda doesn\u2019t include protection of actual life. Gov Noem twisted herself in knots attempting to avoid the question everyone must answer.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1656855251
\u201cI cannot to stand to watch one more second of Kristi Noem on Dana Bash's show saying a 10 year rape victim should be forced to carry to term. How the f does she sleep at night??\u201d— sasha-liszt\u262e\ufe0f (@sasha-liszt\u262e\ufe0f) 1656854135
\u201c@atrupar Noem constantly tried to avoid answering questions on what she actually believes, deflecting to future conversations w the legislature. \n\nShe outright refused on some points.\n\nIf you\u2019re the leader of a state government you don\u2019t get to refuse to disclose your plans.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1656855251
\u201cKristi Noem to 10-year-old girls who become pregnant after being raped:\n\n\u201cPull yourself up by your Velcro shoes and raise that baby, crybaby!\u201d\n\nThe Republican Party is disgusting.\u201d— Gabe Sanchez \uea00 (@Gabe Sanchez \uea00) 1656859160
\u201cKristi Noem says abortion is illegal in South Dakota except to save the life of the mother. But forcing a 10 year old to birth her rapists child isn\u2019t destroying her life\u2026?\u201d— Kate \ud83e\udd0d\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Kate \ud83e\udd0d\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1656862368
\u201cKristi Noem thinks that a 10 year old does not have a right to an abortion because she was raped. She is advocated for the 10 year old to carry the baby. This women is really sick in the head. What the hell South Dakota?\u201d— Freesus Patriot\u2122 (@Freesus Patriot\u2122) 1656853902
\u201cThe GOP wants to force a 10-year-old-girl to give birth.\n\nThey have lost their fucking minds.\n\nThat includes Kristi Noem, who lost it some time ago.\u201d— Brian O'Sullivan (@Brian O'Sullivan) 1656856282
\u201cKristi Noem and her lip service double talk deflection regarding a 10 year old rape victim being forced to carry a baby is disgusting. Her \u2018the law is the law\u2019 bullshit should be alarming to everyone. Absolutely vile.\u201d— Steph On The Left \u03a9 (@Steph On The Left \u03a9) 1656854218
Though her opponent Democrat Jamie Smith is expected to give Noem a run for her money for the South Dakota Governor's office, Noem is likely to win her reelection bid in November.