Kristi Noem Immortalized: Life-Sized Bronze Horse Statue Unveiled
Kristi Noem Gets a Bronze Statue in South Dakota: A Simple Guide
What Happened?
Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem now has a life-sized bronze statue of herself in the state capital, Pierre. The statue was unveiled on Friday during a special ceremony. It shows Noem riding her beloved horse, Iceman.
Important Point: This statue honors her time as Governor of South Dakota (2019–2025), not her later role in the federal government.
Where Is the Statue?
The statue is part of the Trail of Governors—an outdoor art walk in Pierre, South Dakota.
- Location: Across the city and the Capitol complex
- Purpose: To honor every former governor of South Dakota with a bronze statue
- Funded by: Donations (not tax money)
- Created by: Sculptor John Lopez
- Bonus feature: Each statue has a QR code you can scan to hear the governor’s life story
Who Is Kristi Noem?
Here’s a quick timeline of her public service:
- South Dakota Legislature – State representative
- U.S. House of Representatives – Congresswoman for South Dakota
- Governor of South Dakota (2019–2025) – First woman to hold the office
- U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2025) – Served under President Trump
- Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas (Current role) – Appointed after leaving DHS
Fun Fact: Noem joked at the ceremony, "Shouldn’t I be dead first?" when asked about getting a statue while still alive.
What Did She Say at the Unveiling?
Noem gave a heartfelt speech. Here are the highlights:
- Thanked the crowd: Called them "family," not just neighbors
- Praised the Trail of Governors: Said it teaches kids and grandkids about past leaders
- Shared her priority list:
- Grandmother (best job ever)
- Mom
- Governor of South Dakota
- Talked about President Trump: Said he was the first boss she’d had in 30 years since her dad passed away
- Mentioned Iceman: Her horse is "very, very special" and had to be in the statue
What About Her Time at Homeland Security?
Noem resigned as Homeland Security Secretary after a few months in 2025. Why?
- Senators raised concerns about:
- Use of government funds for TV ads
- Private jet travel
- Staying in U.S. Coast Guard housing
- Markwayne Mullin (Senator from Oklahoma) is now the DHS Secretary
- Noem was then appointed Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas
Important Point: The statue ceremony focused only on her governorship. The federal controversies were not mentioned during the event.
How the Trail of Governors Works
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A walking trail of bronze statues |
| Who decides? | Trail of Governors Foundation |
| How is it paid for? | Private donations |
| What’s on each statue? | Plaque with achievements + QR code for audio bio |
| Who made Noem’s statue? | Sculptor John Lopez |
| Who painted her portrait? | Artist David Uhl (unveiled same day) |
Summary
- Kristi Noem got a bronze statue in Pierre, South Dakota
- It honors her service as the state’s first female governor (2019–2025)
- The statue shows her with her horse Iceman
- It’s part of the Trail of Governors—a donor-funded art project
- Noem later served briefly as Homeland Security Secretary, then became Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas
- At the ceremony, she called South Dakotans "family" and said being governor was the best job after being a mom and grandma
FAQ
1. Why does a living person have a statue?
The Trail of Governors honors governors after they leave office. Noem was surprised too—she joked she thought you had to be dead first!
2. Who paid for the statue?
Private donations, not taxpayer money. The Trail of Governors Foundation raises funds for each statue.
3. Can I visit the statue?
Yes! It’s on public display in Pierre, South Dakota, along the Trail of Governors route. You can walk the trail and scan QR codes to hear each governor’s story.
4. What is the "Shield of the Americas"?
It’s Noem’s current diplomatic role, appointed by President Trump. She works on regional security and cooperation across the Americas.
5. Why did she leave the Homeland Security job?
Senators from both parties raised questions about spending on ads, private jets, and housing. She resigned shortly after a Senate hearing in March 2025.
