Senators Warner and Schiff Address 'Kristi Noem Propaganda' in Late-Night Capitol Hill Session

Washington D.C. – During a late-night break in legislative proceedings on July 17, 2025, U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) convened in Senator Warner's hideaway to discuss a range of topics, including what Senator Warner termed "Kristi Noem propaganda." The informal discussion, shared by Senator Warner on social media, offered a glimpse into the candid conversations among lawmakers amidst ongoing votes.

Senator Warner's tweet, posted at 1 AM, stated, "We’ve got some downtime between these late night votes, so I invited @SenAdamSchiff to my hideaway to talk Popcorners, Republican hypocrisy, and Kristi Noem propaganda." The mention of "Popcorners" added a lighthearted element to an otherwise politically charged agenda. Both senators are prominent Democratic voices, known for their roles on intelligence committees and their critical stance on certain Republican policies and figures.

The specific reference to "Kristi Noem propaganda" likely alludes to a series of controversies and criticisms that have recently surrounded South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Governor Noem has faced scrutiny over various public statements and actions, including claims in her memoir about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which her spokesperson later retracted as an error. She also drew widespread criticism for recounting the killing of her family dog, Cricket, in the same book.

Further controversies contributing to the "propaganda" narrative include Governor Noem's banishment from several Native American tribal lands in South Dakota after she claimed drug cartels had infiltrated reservations and that tribal leaders were benefiting. More recently, in March 2025, she was accused of using imprisoned men as props in a "fascist propaganda video" during a visit to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, drawing strong condemnation for the imagery.

The late-night exchange between Senators Warner and Schiff underscores the ongoing political discourse surrounding public figures and their messaging. Such informal discussions provide a platform for lawmakers to delve into critical issues, from broad political accusations like "Republican hypocrisy" to specific concerns regarding the public narratives of prominent political figures like Governor Noem.