In a series of recent developments, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem finds herself banned from nearly 20% of her state by various tribes following controversial comments she made earlier this year. The bans add to the growing list of controversies surrounding the governor, raising questions about the impact on her political future, including her potential as Donald Trump's running mate.

Two more tribes, the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Ovate tribe, voted to banish Noem from their lands in southeastern South Dakota, joining the Oglala, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock Sioux tribes who had already taken similar action. It is worth noting that three other tribes have yet to ban her.

The rift between Noem and the tribes deepened in March when she publicly accused tribal leaders of benefiting from drug cartels on their reservations while neglecting the needs of their communities, particularly children and the poor. Noem's controversial remarks further fueled the ongoing divisions between the tribes and the rest of the state.

Although Noem's spokesperson did not respond to questions about the bans, the governor previously expressed her belief that many reservation residents still support her despite the strained relationship with tribal leaders. On Thursday, Noem addressed the issue in a post on X, calling on tribal leaders to take action against cartels on their lands and offering assistance in restoring law and order while preserving tribal sovereignty.

This is not the first time Noem has clashed with the tribes. Past incidents include disagreements during the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock and disputes over COVID-19 checkpoints at reservation borders during the pandemic. In 2019, she was temporarily banned from the Oglala Sioux reservation due to protest-related tensions.

Political observers have noted that Noem's active engagement in exacerbating the tribal dispute suggests she sees a political benefit in doing so. However, these controversies, coupled with her recent book scandal in which she wrote about killing a hunting dog, have raised doubts about her chances of being considered as Trump's running mate or her future prospects in politics.

While it remains unclear how these developments may impact Noem's political trajectory, as she is prohibited from running for another term as governor, speculations arise over potential paths she could take. Some suggest she may pursue U.S. Senator Mike Rounds' seat or consider a return to the House of Representatives.

As the controversy surrounding Governor Kristi Noem continues to unfold, the divisions between tribal communities and the state of South Dakota remain a significant point of contention. The bans imposed by multiple tribes reflect the deep-seated tensions that exist and raise questions about the governor's future political ambitions.