EXCLUSIVE: Kristi Noem Parts Ways With Health Secretary After Uncovering Transgender Activist Group’s Involvement

FIRST ON DAILY SIGNAL—South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem announced the retirement of her state health secretary, Joan Adam, days after she discovered that the health department had contracted with the transgender activist group hosting a “gender summit” next month.

Noem announced Adam’s retirement four days after she condemned the transgender health summit.

“Gov. Kristi Noem is reviewing all Department of Health contracts and immediately terminated a contract with The Transformation Project,” Ian Fury, Noem’s chief of communications, told The Daily Signal on Friday. “The contract was signed without Gov. Noem’s prior knowledge or approval.”

Fury sent The Daily Signal a copy of the document dissolving the state contract.

“South Dakota does not support this organization’s efforts, and state government should not be participating in them,” Noem told The Daily Signal in a statement provided by Fury. “We should not be dividing our youth with radical ideologies. We should treat every single individual equally as a human being.”

Noem did not mention the transgender issue in the news release about Adam.

“Joan has lived a life of service to the Pierre community and to the people of South Dakota,” Noem said in the statement. “She has been able to put families first because she recognizes the importance of her own family. I am grateful for her advice and wish her the best on everything that she does.”

“My time with the Department of Health has been very rewarding,” Adam said. “The dedication of the Department’s employees is impressive and will continue to serve the state well. I am looking forward to focusing on family and personal commitments.”

Adam and her husband Karl live in Pierre, where they have raised five children.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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