Since January 2019, Kristi Noem has been the formidable Governor of South Dakota and her uncompromising conservative positions on taxation, healthcare and gun rights would have in any case made her a leading candidate for Donald Trump’s running mate in this year’s election. Aside from being articulate, striking in appearance and appearing politically savvy, she received national attention for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, opting against statewide lockdowns and mandates. Noem is a vocal supporter of Trump's policies and has adopted similar stances on key issues such as immigration, economic policy and law enforcement. But this was all before she dragged her dog and goat, and Kim Jong Un, into the national conversation.