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Lawmaker presses witness over labeling of protesters as "domestic terrorists"
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Summary
In a committee exchange, a lawmaker challenged a witness about whether protesters should be labeled "domestic terrorists" after public statements by Governor Kristi Noem; the witness said investigations should be completed before assigning motives and declined to endorse the label.
A lawmaker questioned a witness addressed in the hearing as Mister Wolf about whether Americans have a First Amendment right to peacefully protest and whether protesters should be called "domestic terrorists" after statements by Governor Kristi Noem.
"Mister Wolf, if I could start with you, you would agree that in America, people have the right to peacefully protest under the First Amendment," the lawmaker said, and the witness replied, "Correct." The witness also agreed that people have a constitutional right to due process.
The lawmaker asked specifically whether Kristi Noem's characterization of Renee Goode as a "domestic terrorist" was appropriate. Mister Wolf responded: "I've been very clear on this point when that incident occurred . . . to let that investigation play out before any comments are made about the motives of any of the individuals involved, including the law enforcement officers." The witness said he would wait for investigative findings before drawing conclusions.
The lawmaker criticized that position as leaving the possibility open that protesters could be labeled domestic terrorists and said the parents and loved ones of those involved deserved an apology from the U.S. government. Mister Wolf replied he was not part of the department conducting the investigation and repeated his preference to await the official findings.
The exchange ended without a formal departmental statement or apology recorded in the transcript. No formal action or vote on the matter was taken during the portions of the hearing captured here.
