Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t brush off California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s letter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the immigrant shipping spat.
DeSantis suggested Newsom’s attention to his hair may be at the root of his animosity toward DeSantis and the governor of Texas after the two Republicans transported dozens of illegal immigrants to Democratic-run states.
“The governor of California sent a letter to the Department of Justice saying you need to prosecute Texas and Florida governors, and all I can say is I think his hair gel was interfering with his brain function,” DeSantis said during an event to tout space-related workforce initiatives Friday.
NEWSOM CALLS ON FEDS TO INVESTIGATE ‘INHUMANE’ IMMIGRANT TRANSPORTS
Newsom, a frequent foe of the GOP governors, argued that the DOJ should investigate the “inhumane” stunts.
“In particular, I urge US DOJ to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducement would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws, which could serve as a predicate offense for charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) provisions of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970,” Newsom wrote in the letter.
On Wednesday, DeSantis sent two planeloads of about 50 people to Martha’s Vineyard. Flight records appear to indicate that the planes shipped them out of Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, giving fodder to his detractors who argued he pulled a political stunt.
The following day, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott dropped off two busloads of over 100 illegal immigrants near Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence in the Naval Observatory, drawing national attention. The move was intended to throw shade at Harris after she twice claimed the border was “secure” in an interview.
Both Abbott and DeSantis have used the immigrant busing tactic as a means of jabbing at Democrats, particularly the Biden administration, which they claim have enabled and exacerbated a massive influx of illegal immigration through the southern border.
Abbott, who has spearheaded the gambit with his so-called Operation Lone Star, has sent over 10,000 immigrants to Democratic-leaning locations such as Washington, D.C., New York City, and Chicago, according to his office.
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All three men have been speculated to be 2024 contenders, especially DeSantis. Newsom has stoked speculation with moves such as scathing ad campaigns against Abbott and DeSantis that have thrown shade at them for their policies on abortion and guns. He has flatly said a primary challenge against President Joe Biden is “not going to happen.”
Meanwhile, DeSantis continues to poll as a top contender in Republican circles alongside former President Donald Trump.
