An airlift operation initiated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis evacuated 300 American citizens trapped inside Israel and is set to arrive in Florida on Sunday night.
The Messenger reported that the Republican presidential candidate will be at Tampa International Airport, along with Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, to welcome home those onboard the flight.
DeSantis signed an executive order on Thursday authorizing the state to conduct rescue and evacuation operations in Israel following Hamas’ deadly terror attacks last weekend, which have killed well over two dozen Americans.
In the executive order, DeSantis took a shot at President Joe Biden for another lackluster response to a foreign policy disaster that has unfolded on his watch.
“The Biden administration has failed to launch any form of rescue or evacuation operations for Americans, including Floridians, stranded in the region, and has failed to provide information requested by the State of Florida about any plans for such operations,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said that all Biden did was effectively get people on flights and dump them into Europe only after they were forced to sign waivers promising to pay back the U.S. government for the flights.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management posted on X Sunday night that it would help pick up the slack from the Biden administration’s weak response.
“If you are stranded in Athens and in need of safe transportation back to the United States, we may be able to assist you,” it posted. “Please complete our form at http://FloridaDisaster.org/Israel and share it with anyone who may need assistance.”
DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern encouraged people to fill out the form.
“If the Biden Administration dumped you in Athens, fill out the form at the link below.”
If the Biden Administration dumped you in Athens, fill out the form at the link below. ⬇️ https://t.co/4PNB1T8rPC
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) October 15, 2023
Related: DeSantis: U.S. Should Not Take Palestinian Refugees, Arab Nations Need To ‘Step Up’