South Dakota’s Republican Governor Kristi Noem, a potential Donald Trump vice president pick, avoided answering a question on CNN about whether she would have certified President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win. Trump, who is the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has sparked speculation about his potential vice-presidential pick after a fallout with Mike Pence over Pence’s refusal to back efforts to overturn the election. Noem, a close ally to Trump, is rumored to be a possible choice for vice president, with Trump mentioning her as a potential running mate in a Fox News interview in February.
During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Noem did not directly address whether she would have certified the 2020 election results, instead emphasizing the need to move forward from the events of January 6 and focus on upholding the constitution. When pressed further by Dana Bash about Pence’s decision to certify the results, Noem avoided directly answering the question and instead criticized Pence for not advocating for Trump. Trump had previously suggested in a Newsmax interview that he had ruled out certain individuals as potential running mates due to their behavior.
Trump continues to face legal challenges related to the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, with an ongoing D.C. election interference case accusing him of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstruct an official proceeding. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges. As speculation grows around Trump’s potential vice-presidential pick for the 2024 election, Noem remains a prominent figure in discussions about who may join his ticket. Noem’s reluctance to directly address questions about certifying the election results adds to the intrigue surrounding her potential role in a future Trump administration.
