Key facts
- South Dakota officials are advocating for a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, citing economic benefits.
- Tourism is South Dakota's second-largest industry, with Mount Rushmore visitation bringing in $385.6 million in 2022.
- Native American leaders have requested the cancellation of the fireworks due to drought conditions and high wildfire risk.
- The Black Hills are considered a sacred area by some tribes, and Mount Rushmore is a point of contention.
- The U.S. government illegally seized the Black Hills in 1877, according to a 1980 Supreme Court ruling.
South Dakota officials are pushing to revive a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, citing significant economic benefits derived from tourism. The state has passed legislation to leverage increased sales tax revenue from visitors to offset property taxes for residents. Short-term rental bookings have already seen a 27 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Supporters, like Rhoden, view the fireworks as a symbol of American freedom and have formally requested President Trump's attendance. This effort follows a previous attempt by former Republican Governor Kristi Noem, who sued the Biden administration in 2021 to overturn a ban on the fireworks, though that lawsuit was unsuccessful.
However, some Native American tribal leaders oppose the event. Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, signed a resolution calling for the cancellation of the fireworks due to current drought conditions and the high risk of wildfires. The resolution also highlights historical grievances, specifically the U.S. government's violation of the 1877 Agreement and the subsequent seizure of the Black Hills, a decision later deemed illegal by the Supreme Court in 1980. The Sioux Nation has refused the awarded restitution, continuing to demand the return of the Black Hills.