South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has recently stirred controversy with a passage in her latest book where she discusses the euthanization of her dog. In response, Noem has suggested that President Biden should consider a similar fate for his former dog, Commander.
Within the pages of her book, Noem recounts the difficult decision to put down her dog, Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, due to aggressive behavior. Noem even goes as far as to mention that if she were to become President, she would introduce Commander to Cricket.
During an appearance on "Face the Nation," Noem expressed her belief that the "president should take responsibility" for his dog's actions. When pressed by moderator Margaret Brennan on whether she was suggesting the dog be put down, Noem reiterated that it was the President's responsibility to address the situation.
"How many individuals must be attacked and put in danger before a decision is made regarding a dog?" questioned the Republican governor.
Defending the action, and its inclusion in the book, Noem has said that she was protecting her children, noting that it was a difficult decision. She said in an interview with "CBS Mornings" on Monday that "the purpose of telling the story was so that people would know I don't pass my responsibilities on to anybody else."
But questions have swirled about Noem's political future in recent days. Noem had been considered among a list of possible vice presidential picks to run alongside former President Donald Trump in November's election. But former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that with the decision, she "ended any possibility of her being picked as VP," although Noem was among potential vice-presidential picks at a Republican donors' retreat at Palm Beach, Florida, over the weekend.
