Noem Again Challenging Denial Of Permits For Mount Rushmore Fireworks Show

       South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem apparently isn’t giving up on having fireworks over Mount Rushmore National Memorial to celebrate Independence Day.

        Noem’s request for fireworks was rejected by the National Park Service and her attempts to have the courts overturn the decision have so far been unsuccessful.

       One of the reasons given for the denial was the threat of the event spreading COVID-19 and Noem’s renewed push for fireworks comes on the heels of President Joe Biden saying the White House will host an “independence from the virus” bash. 

      Noem tweeted on Tuesday “What a hypocrite. President @JoeBiden wants “a summer of freedom” where we “mark independence from the virus by celebrating with events across the country.”

   The tweet continued Translation: fireworks are fine at the White House, but not at Mount Rushmore.

       In her April lawsuit, Noem said the National Park Service gave no reason to deny the permit, calling it “arbitrary and capricious” while ignoring the fact the denial cited a number of concerns.

      Those did include potentially spreading COVID-19, but also fears of wildfires, potential water pollution from the fireworks, and objections by Native American tribes.