Arbitrary and Unlawful
By: Governor Kristi Noem
June 4, 2021
There is no better place than Mount Rushmore to celebrate America’s birthday. Independence Day is the celebration of our nation and our founding principles of freedom, equality, and opportunity. Thomas Jefferson wrote the beautiful document that declared the United States of America free and independent. George Washington’s leadership in the American Revolution ensured that our independence was established and protected.
Unfortunately, the Biden Administration does not share South Dakota’s desire to celebrate America’s birthday at our Shrine of Democracy. They arbitrarily and unlawfully denied our permit to hold the event this year, violating a memorandum of agreement that the State of South Dakota had with the Department of Interior.
A federal district court judge recently sided with the Biden Administration and denied our request to honor our agreement with federal authorities and hold fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year. But this fight is not over. My legal team is appealing the court’s ruling so that we can celebrate America’s independence at Mount Rushmore next year and into the future.
Unfortunately, by cancelling our fireworks celebration, the Biden Administration is caving to the radical elements of the modern Democrat party. They wish to cancel the great men on that mountain who accomplished so much to make America the most special nation in history. It’s but their latest attack on American history and our founding principles. It falls in line with recent promotion of critical race theory and revisionist history like the 1619 Project.
In the radical left’s view, America has become one of the villains of history. That’s why they promote kneeling for our national anthem. That’s why they tear down statues honoring our nation’s heroes. And that’s why last year there were calls to tear down Mount Rushmore itself.
We know the truth. We know that America is the greatest nation that the world has ever known. While America has fallen short of our founding ideals at times, our nation’s greatest triumphs are in the moments when we’ve made progress towards realizing those ideals.
Independence Day is about celebrating those ideals and the tremendous history that makes them possible. It’s about celebrating the things that make America exceptional, including the exceptional men on Mount Rushmore. They were flawed men – every single one of us has our own flaws. But they led our country through challenging times, and we are stronger for that leadership.
A fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore is the best possible way to celebrate not only those men, but also, and more importantly, the ideals that they dedicated their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to achieve. Despite the Biden Administration’s arbitrary and unlawful decision, we will continue fighting to once again return fireworks to Mount Rushmore.
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Grow up and get over it.
You really should
Have a laser light show instead so no excuse of possible fire danger. That is a convenient excuse when tge real reason is that the Niden administration doesn’t want anything to remind people of last year and Trump’s visit. And no fire alrhough that was complained about last year as well.
Also the leftists don’t want anything to honor the history of the greatest nation ever. They make no secret of their dislike for our history and ideals.
This isn’t about fireworks, Just another day with her megaphone, trying to make a name for herself and burnish her conservative cred. Having attended several evening lighting ceremonies at Mt. Rushmore, there is plenty to make one feel proud to be an American. Just because one disagrees with Noem and her tactics doesn’t make one a Leftist or a hater of the American Way.
Why not have that July 4th Celebration like past years when everyone actually cared about burning the forest down? Just as American only minus the Chinese pyrotechnics.
Ignore the Federal Government. It is INDEPENDENCE DAY and you are a sovereign state. Oh, it is a “National Park” so the Federal Government has the final call…..not correct. The tax payers money goes to the Federal government for the park and any other “Federal Land / Monuments” . South Dakota must follow through with this celebration and have it broadcast across the globe with their National Guard protecting their States people and visitors against outside hostile enemies. If the Federal government wants to push their threat then let it be for the WORLD TO SEE.
Anyone not see this as desperate? Flailing around looking for attention. Glad I’m helping to pay for it.
What a waste of time, is this really why we have a Governor? I say let her “light it up”, see how well her campaign for presidency goes after she starts a massive wildfire. Truly make those hills black, go Kristi!
Exactly which Confederate General’s were “National Hero’s” of the United States?????? For Xhrist’s sake read a history book.