The Biden Administration claimed that Governor Ron DeSantis’ move to deploy the National Guard was a “political stunt,” despite the US Coast Guard having sent an email request to the state of Florida reaching out for help with the extreme migrant surge.
DeSantis was asked about the comments from the Biden Administration, to which he pointed out that he activated the guard because the US Coast Guard had requested the help due to the unusual number of illegal alien encounters.
“Well I think it’s because the Coast Guard actually requested the state’s assistance to handle all of these vessels coming. But what I think we’ve done, and we’ve been very aggressive across the board, at mitigating the damage from Biden’s disastrous border policy,” DeSantis said in a press briefing Thursday, according to Fox News.
A letter obtained by Fox from the US Coast Guard to DeSantis shows the request, which asks for a “twin engine FWC” along with aircraft patrol.
NEW: Hours after the White House called FL Gov. @GovRonDeSantis’ move to deploy National Guard & FL resources re: migrant boat landings a “political stunt” that would “create a problem”, the U.S. Coast Guard sent this email asking Florida for help, per a DeSantis admin official. pic.twitter.com/IM12mgcFex
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) January 12, 2023
“The justification for this is that, if these aircraft are only allowed out to the 3NM line, by the time the TOI is reported and surface assets are vectored in, the TOI would likely be landed, preventing a maritime interdiction.” A TOI being a target of interest.
DeSantis said that the state will foot the bill for residents who have migrants illegally land on their private property.
“We are going to clear the vessels free of charge for those residents because it wasn’t their fault – maybe we’ll send the bill to Biden,” the Republican Governor added.
The Biden Administration’s willful disregard of the law and gross negligence in handling the Border Crisis they have created is an embarrassment – this is not the way you run a country. pic.twitter.com/lTPJxLzSAk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 12, 2023
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre accused DeSantis of a political stunt in activating the National Guard.
“We have seen Governor DeSantis do political stunts. That is how he perceives to fix this issue from Florida, we’re talking about people coming from countries who are dealing with political strife, who are dealing with issues where they’re trying to find asylum. And he treats them like pawns.” Jean-Pierre said. “So we have called that out, over and over again. And we will continue to do that.”
DeSantis said of Biden’s border policies when activating the guard, “As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis. That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources. When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities.”
