PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem acquired a scorching Christmas reward from her workers — actually.
Noem’s workers gave her a Pulsefire LRT flamethrower with an engraved plate of the state motto “Beneath God, the individuals rule,” the Sioux Falls Argus Chief reported Tuesday.
A video posted to Twitter on Sunday reveals Noem, decked out in camouflage, utilizing the flamethrower to torching a pile of cardboard packing containers on a snowy farm. She shoots a ultimate spray of flames into the packing containers, raises her arm with a flourish and says “Increase, excellent.”
In accordance with Tennessee-based ammunitions firm MidSouth Shooters, a Pulsefire LRT prices about $650. Noem spokesperson Ian Fury mentioned no tax {dollars} went towards the acquisition.
The reward comes after a photograph on Twitter exhibiting Noem holding a flamethrower with the caption, “Is it too late so as to add one thing to my Christmas checklist?” went viral in 2020.
Some critics on social media have complained that whereas Noem was burning the packing containers, media experiences surfaced that 1000’s of American Indians on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations had been trapped with out warmth throughout a fierce winter storm. Pine Ridge residents needed to burn garments after propane deliveries stopped and there was no firewood.
At the very least one individual, a 12-year-old Rosebud Sioux woman, died, as a result of she was unable to obtain medical remedy.
Fury famous that the state Division of Public Security cleared roads on each reservations, coordinated transport for dozens of dialysis sufferers to Speedy Metropolis, helped stranded drivers and delivered meals, firewood and propane to communities. Noem additionally declared a state of emergency and activated the Nationwide Guard to ship firewood to the Rosebud and Oglala Sioux tribes.