Northeast South Dakota News

Rep. Dusty Johnson, a U.S. Congressman representing South Dakota’s at-large district since 2019, has recently used his social media platform to address several policy issues, including foreign ownership of farmland, congressional stock trading, and efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking.

On August 31, 2025, Johnson stated: "Everyone at the State Fair supports my push to ban the Chinese Communist Party from buying American farmland." This comment reflects ongoing concerns among some lawmakers about foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land.

Two days later, on September 2, 2025, Johnson posted: "Members of Congress shouldn’t be allowed to buy and sell individual stocks." The statement aligns with recent bipartisan calls for increased restrictions on financial activities by members of Congress.

Later that same day, Johnson addressed drug trafficking issues with another post: "I voted to stop Chinese fentanyl from coming into the U.S. For too long Chinese officials have not taken appropriate steps to curb the flow of fentanyl ingredients into the U.S. This legislation will allow for sanctions on individuals for their role in supplying the fentanyl". The post references legislative efforts aimed at sanctioning those involved in supplying fentanyl ingredients from China.

Johnson was born in Pierre, South Dakota in 1976 and currently resides in Mitchell. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.