There’s a particular kind of political irony that writes itself. This is one of those times.
Kristi Noem built her career, in no small part, on legislating against gender nonconformity. As Governor of South Dakota and later as Secretary of Homeland Security, she signed a “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” allowing discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, banned trans girls from participating in women’s sports, and banned gender-affirming care for trans youth. She also presided over an immigration enforcement apparatus that, critics noted, specifically endangered vulnerable LGBTQ+ migrants.
Meanwhile, at home, her husband Bryon was allegedly messaging sex workers specializing in “bimbofication” — asking them to turn him “into a girl” — and sending over $25,000 to them.
