Gov. Noem Says Her Cell Phone Was Hacked Due to Jan 6 Committee Leak

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced on Jan. 23 her personal cell. phone number has been hacked and used to make hoax calls, blaming the Jan. 6 committee for releasing her family’s Social Security numbers.

“Callous mishandling of personal information has real world consequences,” Noem said in a press release. “If you get such a phone call from my number, know that I had no involvement.”

The Social Security numbers belonging to Noem, her husband, her three children, and her son-in-law were published, without redaction, as part of the White House’s visitor logs that became exhibits during undated hearings by the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The first leak occurred reported By the Washington Post, Jan. 6.

Such information, which under federal law should have been redacted prior to the document’s publication, remained publicly available on the committee’s website for days before being removed online on Jan. 4.

The Privacy Act of 1974 provides that confidential data must be protected. “[no] agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains.”

The governor said that this was not the right thing to do.

“I have urged both the United States Attorney General and multiple congressional committees to investigate the leaking of my family’s personal information,” Noem made these remarks in her statement. “I look forward to whatever resolution they can provide.”

Last week, the governor sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Galrland and House representatives to inquire into the possible breach of confidential information. Noem addressed the two separate letters. said Her family has suffered irreparable damage. “the families of the nearly 2000 individuals” It was noted in the logs who visited White House in December 2020.

The leak affected many high-profile GOP leaders, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, ex-U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and ex-U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

Noem and others affected previously told the Washington Post they weren’t notified about the disclosure.

I fear that this inhumane, unacceptable handling of our most sensitive information could result in permanent and widespread harm to my family, my grandkids, their families, and those of almost 2000 other people.

We want answers. An investigation will uncover them. pic.twitter.com/6MK6OvoOgA

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) January 20, 2023

Last February, President Joe Biden ordered the National Archives to release White House visitor logs to the Jan. 6 panel, denying Trump’s claim that they were covered under executive privilege and thus should not be disclosed to the committee.

In her Jan. 19 letter to Garland, Noem said she’s “glad” of the attorney general’s appointment of a special counsel to investigate the classified documents discovered at President Joe Biden’s home and office space.

“This action indicates an increased willingness to investigate violations of law, regardless of the political affiliation of the lawbreaker. I hope that you will do the right thing and investigate this apparent violation of federal law,” Noem wrote.

Recently, the South Dakota governor was mentioned as a potential GOP presidential candidate. said she wasn’t in a rush to make a decision on a 2024 White House bid.

“I’m not convinced that I need to run for president,” Noem spoke on Jan. 18, during a CBS appearance. “I think that as we go through the coming months, and even the next year, year and a half, that leader will emerge.”