South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem took aim at the Biden administration from Mount Rushmore Sunday after federal officials this year rejected her bid to host a Fourth of July fireworks show at the famed monument.
“It’s a beautiful day. I really wish that we were able to have fireworks here this year – probably not gonna happen because of the Biden administration – but look at all the wonderful people still enjoying this monument to history,” she said in a video posted on Twitter.
Fireworks were reintroduced at Mount Rushmore for the first time since 2009 last year under Donald Trump, but the National Park Service (NPS) denied Noem’s permit request earlier this year. The NPS cited health reasons relating to coronavirus, wildfire risks, environmental concerns, and ongoing construction at the federal landmark — which is not set to be concluded by the Fourth of July.
Noem, a Republican, filed a lawsuit challenging the NPS decision.
“After telling us they’d ‘circle back,’ the Biden Administration has not responded to our request to uphold the Memorandum Agreement between the State of South Dakota and the National Parks Service to host a safe and responsible national celebration and fireworks show,” Noem wrote.