SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Governor Larry Rhoden and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attended a naturalization ceremony at Mount Rushmore Thursday, where 72 new U.S. citizens swore the Oath of Allegiance.
According to a social media post from Rhoden’s office, the 72 individuals raised their right hands and swore an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution.
Rhoden posted photos of the event on his Facebook page. In a press release, he wrote, “Every American has a responsibility to defend our Constitution and the freedoms that it enshrines.”
Rhoden said that he swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution when he joined the National Guard. He said that we must do our best to fulfill it.
“I’ve often said that South Dakota is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of freedom,” Rhoden wrote in a press release. “Guard your freedoms jealously.”
On X, Noem posted photos of the ceremony and welcomed citizens to “the greatest country on earth” and described the “special” moment.
“I’m so excited and proud of all these wonderful people who worked, read, and studied for years to become citizens the RIGHT way,” Noem said in her post. “We hugged, shed happy tears, and shared the joy together.”
Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson was also at the event.
“Thank you to the 72 new Americans who worked for years to become citizens. Thanks also to Secretary Noem and Mount Rushmore for this incredible ceremony,” Johnson posted.
