Last Monday, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that if he becomes president, the “rules of engagement” for law enforcement and military units deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border would be revised to ensure that suspects He said he would allow the use of “lethal force” if it did. “hostile intent”
Former President Donald Trump has boasted of embarking on “the largest deportation operation in history” if re-elected, but Mr DeSantis is the first to claim that he will give border police the power to shoot non-violent migrants across the border. is the Republican presidential candidate.
Speaking to a small group of Republican voters in Eagle Pass, Texas, Mr. DeSantis said: [the border wall], and did you let them break through with impunity? I think we need proper rules of engagement… I say use force to repel them. Do it once and they won’t do it again. ”
DeSantis, who trails his predecessor by about 30 percentage points in the latest Republican presidential primary polls, has sought to outsmart right-wing Trump on his anti-immigrant policies and, if he becomes president, will turn the Mexican cartels into “borders.” It claimed that it would be designated as a “criminal organization that transcends Or “foreign terrorist organizations”.
DeSantis said he would create a “joint anti-cartel task force” that would allow the U.S. government to deploy military and intelligence assets along the border and into Mexico as part of an “inexcusable” anti-immigrant program. Expansion of the “war on terror”.
“We’re going to use a punchy nomenclature,” added DeSantis. Mr. DeSantis pitched himself to the ruling class as a more capable fascist dictator compared to Mr. Trump, exclaiming that “the president doesn’t even need Congress to fight the cartels.”
DeSantis said the administration “reserves the right to act across borders”, including by threatening war with Mexico and “managing the Navy and Coast Guard” to blockade Mexican ports.
As president, DeSantis said he would “increase recruitment” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection by increasing salaries and embarking on a recruitment campaign targeting “ex-military and police officers.” promised.
DeSantis added that he would spare no expense in fighting immigration, completing the border wall and installing new “fiber optic security systems, lighting and sensors.”
And like virtually all Republican presidential candidates, Mr. DeSantis has vowed to overturn the 14th Amendment provision that guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
At a subsequent press conference, Mr. DeSantis, joined by far-right Texas Congressman Chip Roy, reiterated his pledge to adopt an aggressive “use of force” policy at the border. Mr. DeSantis imitates Mr. Trump, claiming that “millions of illegal immigrants”, including “men with backpacks”, are “influxing” into the country, and that they are universal. claimed to be a cartel drug trafficker.
“If the cartels are trying to break through the border wall and bring their products into this country, they’re going to get the cold water as a result of that wrong decision,” he said. Once you do, you’ll never see them mess with that wall again.”
Asked by a reporter if he was justified in shooting someone for trying to break through or bypass the border wall, DeSantis emphasized: He must be able to counter it with appropriate use of force. I don’t know how you can let them do that. ”
Pressed by reporters, a distraught DeSantis interrupted the reporter and insisted, “Of course, of course, you used lethal force.” “I tell you, if you get rid of some of the cartel operatives who are trying to do that, you don’t have to worry anymore,” he said.
More than three days after Mr. DeSantis’ pledge to turn the U.S.-Mexico border into a war zone, neither President Joe Biden nor other key Democratic officials, including New York State Rep. did not condemn
The Democrats’ silence on Republican threats to give border agents and military personnel the power to execute immigrants is not wrong. As DeSantis pointed out at the same press conference, under Democratic President Barack Obama, the US federal government has deported more immigrants than the Trump administration. And like Trump, Biden has used the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to deport thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers so far this year, while advocating for more humane border policies.
DeSantis, who continues to attack Trump from the right on immigration, explained Monday: [referring to Trump] Helped empower local authorities to enforce immigration laws. ”
It was the second time last month that the governor of Florida visited the state along the U.S.-Mexico border. Earlier this month, Mr. DeSantis traveled to Sierra Vista, Arizona, with several fascist sheriffs who support his campaign to bolster his genuinely anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Less than two weeks into Arizona, Mark Danells (Cochise County, Arizona), Cory Helton (Lee County, New Mexico), Grady Judd (Pork County, New Mexico) and others in Arizona with Mr. DeSantis Ninety-one far-right sheriffs were arrested, including several who showed up. , Florida) announced that it would form an anti-immigrant coalition to fight the “Biden Border Crisis” under DeSantis’ “leadership.”
In addition to the aforementioned, several sheriffs with ties to the Oath Keepers militia, including Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County, California, also signed the letter.
According to extremism researcher Chris Goldsmith, at least 13 people who signed DeSantis’ letter are members of the Association of Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officials (CSPOA). Members of the CSPOA have enjoyed close ties with far-right militias, spearheading efforts by the ruling class to reverse limited mitigation measures when the COVID-19 pandemic began. He was convicted of plotting to assassinate Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
