Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) offered a “stone-cold” solution to drug trafficking committed by cartels.
DeSantis was in Atlanta on Friday for an event hosted by conservative talk show host Erick Erickson when he discussed the drug problem at the border. His appearance was a part of his campaign tour ahead of a high-stakes presidential debate next Wednesday in Milwaukee.
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“We are going to authorize the use of deadly force against the cartels,” DeSantis told Erickson.
DeSantis also suggested building a wall and remaining in Mexico to stop drugs from crossing the border. In particular, DeSantis pointed to an increase in fentanyl crossing the border.
“That’s the last thing they’re going to be able to do because we’re going to leave them stone-cold dead at the border. We’re not putting up with it anymore,” DeSantis said. “We now have tens of thousands of people that are dying from fentanyl overdoses, and that’s all being brought in because the border is not secure, and the cartels have more control over our border than we do.”
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This statement comes almost a month after former President Donald Trump suggested the death penalty for child traffickers as part of his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. During his term as president, he similarly urged Congress to institute a death penalty for opioid dealers.
On Wednesday, DeSantis will have the opportunity to defend his policies during the first GOP primary debate in Milwaukee. Both DeSantis and Trump have qualified for the debate by their polling numbers and individual donations. However, Trump has refused to sign the loyalty pledge, committing not to run as a third-party candidate should they not win the Republican nomination, while DeSantis has signed it. Trump is not expected to appear for the debate.
