Noem Calls Gun Violence 'Domestic Terrorism,' Ignores Its Root Causes
Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, swiftly labeled an August 2021 shooting outside a Minneapolis ICE facility as an act of 'domestic terrorism.' The Hill dutifully reported her condemnation, framing it as a straightforward defense of law enforcement. (One might wonder if all gun violence against government facilities garners such immediate, emphatic classification.) What The Hill, and Noem,
conveniently gloss over is the broader, documented history of groups like ICE being targets not just of violence, but of sustained, peaceful protest against their human rights record. Protests against ICE detention policies, family separations, and controversial tactics have been widespread for years. Reducing complex social unrest and anger to a simple 'domestic terrorism' narrative often serves
to deflect from scrutiny of the institutions themselves, making it easier for politicians to ignore the historical grievances and systemic issues that fuel public discontent.