Apparently, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem doesn’t care that July 4 fireworks pose a fire danger for Mount. Rushmore because she’s promised to appeal a court’s ruling that bans the incendiary devices at the national monument.
U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange ruled against Noem’s lawsuit that targeted the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Newsweek [1] reports. Noem’s lawsuit was an attempt [2] to overturn the National Park Service’s (NPS) refusal to allow the state to use fireworks at a July 4 celebration at the famed monument.
Fireworks and other pyrotechnics had been banned [3] at Mt. Rushmore for more than a decade (since 2008) due to concerns over public health and environmental safety risks but were allowed in 2020. Since the pandemic was raging across the U.S. last year at this time, health concerns were understandable. There have also been more than a few fires ignited by fireworks over the years in the 1200-acre national park that’s studded with Ponderosa pines. In 2000 and 2001 there were 17 such fires.
In March the NPS denied South Dakota’s request, saying a fireworks display could risk the health and safety of the national monument and everyone in it. The NPS also noted local Native American tribes were opposed to fireworks as well.
But Noem doesn’t care about this.
“I am disappointed that the court gave cover to this unlawful action with today’s decision. But rest assured, this fight is not over,” she said in a statement released after Wednesday’s decision.
“My legal team will appeal this incorrect decision so that we can return the Fireworks Celebration to Mount Rushmore and celebrate our nation’s birthday at America’s Shrine to Democracy for next year and in the future,” she added.
She obviously couldn’t care less about fire hazards or the concerns of the indigenous peoples whose civilizations were destroyed by those seeking “Democracy.” Noem announced her intentions to sue on April 30 after claiming the Biden administration hadn’t responded to her proposed Memorandum of Agreement to host a safe event.
Trump spoke at last year’s event and whined about “cancel culture,” surrounded by thousands of his supporters who were, of course, mostly mask-free.
And of course, Trump purportedly wants his face carved into the national landmark. Fortunately, there’s no extra room for anyone’s face, so Trump will have to take his vanity somewhere else. Throughout history, he’ll be noted for his failed response to the pandemic and he simply doesn’t belong up there, to begin with.