South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) says President Joe Biden “doesn’t have the authority” to put federal COVID-19 mandates in place.
During an appearance on Fox News, Noem reacted to Biden’s claim that “there is no federal solution” to the pandemic.
“That’s interesting to me that the president is so bold in saying that there is no federal solution yet continuing to impose mandates on the country. And the fact is that he doesn’t have the authority to put these mandates in place,” Noem said.
She added, “That’s why South Dakota and many other states and governors and attorney generals have challenged the federal government on this authority in court. That will be heard here in January, and we’ll win. We’ll win because this president has taken unprecedented action to impose on the liberties and freedoms of the American people. And sometimes, the only ones that are left to fight are the governors.”
Check out the video below:
During a virtual meeting with governors about the response to the pandemic, Biden argued the solution comes from the state level.
He added, “And then it ultimately gets down to where the rubber meets the road, and that’s where the patient is in need of help or preventing the need for help.”
Other Republicans criticized Biden for his statement.
The Republican National Committee tweeted, “Joe Biden claimed he would shut down the virus. Now a year later when he failed to do so, he says there is no federal solution to COVID. Joe Biden is a hypocrite.”
Joe Biden claimed he would shut down the virus.
— GOP (@GOP) December 28, 2021
Now a year later when he failed to do so, he says there is no federal solution to COVID.
Joe Biden is a hypocrite. pic.twitter.com/qfuIpys16o
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) argued Biden is “trying to avoid blame for his incompetence.”
He added, “If he really believes this, he should rescind his unconstitutional federal mandates.”
Cotton explained, “There’s no federal solution, but the fed government can help by securing the border, approving safe treatments and tests, and appointing competent leaders at the FDA and CDC.”
There's no federal solution, but the fed government can help by securing the border, approving safe treatments & tests, and appointing competent leaders at the FDA & CDC.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 27, 2021
Biden opened the border, botched testing, and outsourced CDC's guidance to the teachers' unions.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also weighed in, saying, “Biden says there’s no federal solution to COVID and that this gets solved at a state level. He should immediately end his unconstitutional federal mandates. The Texas solution is no mandates and personal responsibility.”
Biden says there's no federal solution to COVID and that this gets solved at a state level.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 27, 2021
He should immediately end his unconstitutional federal mandates.
The Texas solution is no mandates and personal responsibility. https://t.co/lPlfsy7ioY
On Tuesday, Biden said he has “the back of every governor fighting COVID-19 in their state.”
My Administration has the back of every governor fighting COVID-19 in their state. Last week, I rolled out a federal plan to tackle Omicron by adding vaccination and booster capacity, hospital equipment, staff, and more.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 28, 2021
We’re going to get through this by working together.
Additionally, the president boasted about the federal plan to “tackle Omicron by adding vaccination and booster capacity, hospital equipment, staff, and more.”