South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem today sued the National Park Service and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a bid to bring back fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial this summer. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota Central Division, Noem said NPS had been "arbitrary and capricious" in denying her request to again host a July 4 fireworks display at the memorial. She said the Biden administration had reneged on an agreement that she worked out with the Trump administration last year to continue the fireworks this year. "Mount Rushmore is the very best place to celebrate America's birthday and all that makes our country special," Noem said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "After telling us they'd 'circle back,' the Biden administration has not responded to our request to uphold the memorandum of agreement between the state of South Dakota and the National Park Service to host a safe and responsible national celebration and fireworks show.
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