Former Sioux Falls mayor Knobe: I’m beyond disappointed, frustrated by SD GOP silence in wake of Trump’s harsh rhetoric

It’s Sunday morning. No alcohol or other mind-altering substances in my body. I have had one cup of coffee.

I am beyond disappointed and frustrated. Anger is the most descriptive word for my mood.

From the White House we are getting daily/hourly, “National Nasty.” It’s personal. It’s vindictive.  

I know many Republicans. Some of them are elected officials in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha and Lincoln County. Unless I missed the news stories, as of this date and time NONE of them have said a word about the president’s demeaning comments about women, minorities, immigrants … Silence.

Silence from Sens. Thune and Rounds.

Silence from the two Republican candidates for Congress, including Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Silence from the four Republican candidates for governor. Gov. Larry Rhoden, Congressman Dusty Johnson, South Dakota Speaker of the House Jon Hansen, and businessman Toby Doeden.

I am on a first-name basis with four Republican Minnehaha County and Lincoln County elected officials. Silence.

I am on a first-name basis with two Republican Sioux Falls elected officials. Silence. Yes, I know city elections are non-partisan, but they are our “leaders,” are they not?

I am on a first-name basis with six Republican legislators from Minnehaha County. Silence.

SILENCE from these elected officials, to me, is a problem.

There are three possible reasons for it:

They agree with the insults, racism and vulgarity coming from President Trump’s mouth.

They are afraid of him. That fear overrides their morals and ethics.

They think it will go away if they just wait it out.

The third choice is the worst. It’s the choice too many Germans made from 1933-45.

Their silence cost 6 million lives of innocent men, women and children. People like legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, all from Minnesota. And at least 32 others who have died in government custody.

The reality is, President Trump’s verbal assaults are normalizing physical assaults. Think of the multiple death threats against judges, legislators, and others. The arson of the governor’s home in Pennsylvania. Think of the obscene language used by the man describing Renee Good after he killed her. (I won’t write it here).

The last 12 months have been filled with takeaways from us. Programs. Funding. The rule of law. Due Process. Decency. Trust.

Now we live with chaos, mayhem, lawlessness, violence, death, crudeness, vulgarity, anxiety, fear, frustration and anger. 

All of it generated from words and actions coming from national leaders who took an oath which requires them to be lawful, promote peace, tranquility, respect.

Referring to a female as “piggy,” immigrants as “garbage,” and the latest, depicting a former president and his wife as apes, and doing it on the OFFICIAL White House media page. Despicable.

In my 50-plus years paying attention to politics, I don’t remember ANY elected person getting a pass for attacking individuals and groups with such viciousness.

My question to Republican “leaders” is, “Why are you silent?”

Republicans used to be about law and order, used to stand up for the “little guy.”

We, the people you work for, are not so patiently waiting for you to stand up and speak up.

The independent Rick Knobe is a former Sioux Falls mayor and a regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard.

Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons

The South Dakota Standard is offered freely and is supported by our readers. We have no political or commercial sponsorship. If you'd like to help us continue our mission to advance independent political and social commentary, you can do so by clicking on the "Donate" button that's on the sidebar to your right.

Follow us and comment on X and Bluesky