South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has been banned from several tribal reservations after making controversial comments regarding tribal leaders' alleged connections to drug cartels. The bans, imposed by seven Native American reservations in the state, restrict Noem's access to nearly 20 percent of South Dakota's territory.

In February, NBC News reported that Mexican drug cartels had established relationships with Native American tribes in Montana to facilitate the flow of illegal substances. The report highlighted how Indigenous women often became targets of cartel associates, who utilized their homes as bases for operations. Noem, speaking at a forum in March, claimed that tribal leaders in South Dakota personally benefited from cartels' presence, leading to attacks on her by those individuals.

Noem's remarks drew criticism from tribal leaders and prompted the bans from Crow Creek Sioux, Yankton Sioux, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Oglala, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux reservations. These bans have raised concerns about Noem's ability to effectively govern the affected areas.

Despite the bans, Noem has continued to assert that cartels have a presence on tribal reservations. On social media, she shared posts highlighting statements made to congressional committees, in which the issue of cartel infiltration on reservations was discussed. She emphasized that this problem extends beyond South Dakota, with leaders from various communities across the nation speaking out against the issue.

In addition to facing backlash from tribal leaders, Noem's recent admission of killing her dog in her new book has contributed to further criticism. Political commentators suggest that these controversies have weakened her chances of being chosen as a vice presidential candidate by Trump or his advisers.

Christopher Devine, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton, stated that Noem's actions not only resulted in negative attention but also damaged her prospects of becoming Trump's running mate. Devine emphasized the importance of vice-presidential candidates in shaping public perception and how their actions reflect on the presidential candidate.

Noem's office has not yet responded to requests for comment, and the governor continues to grapple with the fallout from her remarks and controversies. As the bans remain in place, questions arise regarding the impact on Noem's governance and her standing within the Republican Party's future plans.