In the first GOP primary debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis touted his law and order record as governor, including his removal of woke prosecutors, and vowed that if he becomes president he will send the U.S. Military into Mexico to kill off the drug cartels wreaking havoc on America.
The 44-year-old governor of America’s third most populated state was asked by moderator Martha MacCallum if he would support sending special forces into Mexico to deal with the cartels.
“Yes, and I will do it on day one,” DeSantis responded. “The President of the United States has got to use all available powers as commander-in-chief to protect our country and to protect the people. So when they’re coming across, yes, we’re going to use lethal force. Yes, we reserve the right to operate. How many more tens of thousands are we going to let die?”
“That is happening all across this country because of the poison that they are bringing in,” he continued. “So as president, would I use force? Would I treat them as foreign terrorist organizations? You’re darn right I would.”
MacCallum asks DeSantis to speak more about his plan to take on the Mexican drug cartels and if that includes "sending U.S. Special forces over the border, into Mexico."He says he would authorize that action "on day one." pic.twitter.com/OGxDdrYz7q
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 24, 2023
DeSantis later sparred with co-moderator Bret Baier over the issue of crime in Florida after Baier claimed that crime was rising in the state.
“Crime is on the rise in Florida, Governor DeSantis,” Baier said. “How do you stop crime?”
“Crime is at a 50-year low, we’re happy with that, statewide it’s at a 50-year low,” DeSantis responded.
Baier interjected, “Not in Miami.”
DeSantis countered by underscoring that “statewide, it’s a 50-year low.”
He went on to say, “These hollowed-out cities, this is a symptom of America’s decline. And one of the biggest reasons is because you have George Soros funding these radical left-wing district attorneys. They get into office and they say they’re not going to prosecute crimes they disagree with. The inmates start running the asylum.”
“When we had two of these district attorneys in Florida, elected with Soros funding, who said they wouldn’t do their job, I removed them from their posts. They are done,” he added. “As president, we are going to go after all of these people because they are hurting the quality of life and they are victimizing innocent people in this country, and it will stop when I get into office.”
DeSantis: "When we had two DAs in Fla., elected w/ Soros funding who said they wouldn’t do their job, I removed them from their post … As president, we're going to go after all of these people because they're hurting the quality of life & they're victimizing innocent people" pic.twitter.com/XKtnN7mump
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 24, 2023