Florida Governor Ron DeSantis plans to travel to Texas for a U.S. border security briefing with the Texas governor on Saturday, just days after several central Florida sheriffs toured the border.
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DeSantis will be accompanied by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, and Rick Swearingen, Florida law enforcement commissioner, according to a Friday afternoon press release from the governor’s office.
Up for re-election next year and widely considered a potential Republican front runner for the White House in 2024, DeSantis is part of a group of GOP governors who have followed former President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policies to create a strong political. revive weapon against the Democrats for the 2022 midterm elections.
The Republican governor and his entourage are expected to fly to Del Rio International Airport north of the southern border and about 160 miles west of San Antonio, the statement said.
On Thursday, law enforcement officials from several Florida counties toured the border with GOP MP Kat Cammack, whose 3rd Congressional District includes parts of Alachua and Marion counties. Sheriffs who made the trip include Mike Chitwood from Volusia County, Rick Staly from Flagler County, and Billy Woods from Marion County. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken was also present.
“People need to realize that we are in trouble in this country,” Chitwood said on Twitter. “It’s not a Democratic or Republican or independent matter, it’s an American matter.”
On the border with @RepKatCammack & FL Sheriffs. Came to see this crisis firsthand. Talking to those faced with it on a daily basis is an eye opener. This shouldn’t be a GOP vs. Dem political issue. It is a humanitarian and public safety problem that we as Americans and as humans must solve. pic.twitter.com/zzxUA9FtLf
– Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) July 15, 2021
He said he was concerned that the border patrol, who is busy with families crossing the border into the US, is also “drug smugglers and criminals” entering the country.
In a Facebook post, Chitwood raised concerns about the cost of traveling to the border.