Florida’s Governor thinks a federal investigation of the state’s migrant flights is “absurd,” suggesting states like California asked for it by being “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
During an interview on “Varney and Co.” on the Fox Business Network, Ron DeSantis took issue with California Gov. Gavin Newsom calling for a federal inquiry into a flight of undocumented immigrants paid for by Florida that brought them from Texas to Sacramento.
“Well, I think it’s just absurd. I mean, California is a sanctuary state. They actually provide benefits for illegal aliens. And so they’re serving really as a magnet for people to cross our border illegally,” DeSantis told Varney.
Newsom, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding federal action, saying it was “unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations.”
In DeSantis’ view, however, places like California should be held responsible for border crossers.
“It is the sanctuary jurisdiction that should be the one to have to bear that burden. We’re not a sanctuary state in Florida. And I think it’s wrong that states that are doing it right would have to bear a burden. And so they’ve asked for this, they’ve invited it and they should step up.”
Newsom went on the Sean Hannity program recently, saying he would do a three-hour debate with DeSantis with the Fox News perennial host, on “one day’s notice with no notes.” DeSantis hasn’t been willing to debate, however, instead urging Newsom to “stop pussyfooting around” and “challenge” Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.
As DeSantis continues to battle Newsom from a distance, Donald Trump appears to be a bigger problem for the Florida Governor in the Golden State.
A recent Emerson College Poll of California Republicans is the worst yet for the Florida Governor. DeSantis trails Trump in the 2024 Presidential Primary race, 53% to 19%.
A Public Policy Institute of California survey, conducted May 17-24, shows the former President with 50% support, way ahead of DeSantis at 21%.
The latest Berkeley Institute of Government Studies survey shows Trump ahead of DeSantis in a crowded field, 44% to 26%, reflecting a 26-point movement toward the former President at DeSantis’ expense in recent months. In February, DeSantis was up 37% to 29%.
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