Thune, Noem break silence on criminal charges against ally, former President Donald Trump

GOP officials say 34 felony charges are politically motivated

Gov. Kristi Noem’s support for Donald Trump is not wavering as the former U.S. president faces 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business records.

A staunch ally of Trump, South Dakota’s Republican governor has been silent on the 45th president’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury last week. But that changed Tuesday after the charges were unveiled as Trump was arraigned in a New York City courtroom.

“A majority of Americans believe that this prosecution of President Trump is political. So do I,” Noem said in a statement posted on her social media accounts Tuesday afternoon.

Noem specifically took aim at New York County prosecutor Alvin Bragg, who brought the charges against Trump, asserting that he should be focusing on violent crimes instead.

NEWS: South Dakota Democratic Party launches hiring search for new director