Bryon Noem, husband of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, has broken his silence regarding their impending divorce, stating he is "saddened that the marriage is ending" and hopes for an "amicable resolution." His attorney, Tim Bottum, issued a statement indicating that if court proceedings become necessary, Bryon Noem "will welcome the opportunity to truthfully share his perspective." He added that Bryon Noem's priority is to "protect the family and move forward as loving parents and grandparents."
The statement follows the confirmation of the divorce filing by Kristi Noem, 54, after 34 years of marriage. Divorce papers citing "irreconcilable differences" were drawn up on April 6, six days after a report detailed Bryon Noem's alleged cross-dressing and online interactions.
Bryon Noem accepted service of the documents on April 8, but they were not officially filed until Monday morning at the Hamlin County Circuit Court in South Dakota. Kristi Noem's mother had previously revealed in July that her daughter had hired a lawyer and initiated divorce proceedings.
Kristi Noem's law firm, Loos, Sabers & Smith, stated that the former governor would not comment further on the split, reserving remarks for the legal process. The filing for "irreconcilable differences" does not assign blame but reserves the right to amend the complaint with additional grounds for divorce, which could include adultery, cruelty, neglect, or felony conviction.
Revelations about Bryon Noem's private life, including photographs published by the Daily Mail depicting him in women's clothing and engaging in online chats, surfaced weeks after Kristi Noem left her position as Secretary of Homeland Security in March. A spokesperson for Kristi Noem at the time described her as "devastated" and the family as "blindsided" by these revelations.
Bryon Noem, 56, and Kristi Noem wed in 1992 and have three adult children. Reports of alleged infidelity involving Kristi Noem and her longtime adviser Corey Lewandowski have also previously surfaced, though the couple has denied these allegations.