Ron DeSantis attacks Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s COVID response as he tries to stay out of Republican debate bickering

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis largely stayed out of the fierce bickering that dominated much of the first Republican debate, but used key moments to fire at Biden, Trump and the border crisis.

As former Vice President Mike Pence and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy argued over federal spending, DeSantis stepped in with a message addressed to each of the last two presidents.

“Why are we in this mess? Part of it, and a major reason, is the way this federal government handled COVID-19 by shutting down this economy,” he said.

He contrasted the FBI’s response with how he handled the Florida pandemic and how he would have led had he been in Washington.

“As your president, I will never let the deep state bureaucrats lock you up,” DeSantis said. “You don’t take someone like Fauci and coddle him. You bring Fauci, sit him down and say, “Anthony, you’re fired!”

Trump issued federal guidelines on lockdowns, which DeSantis initially followed, but eventually ended up in the Sunshine State.

But the COVID lockdowns weren’t the only area DeSantis focused on in his attacks on Washington. He later spoke about the southern border and how he would handle the crisis.

“The cartels are killing tens of thousands of our fellow citizens,” DeSantis said. “We must restore the rule of law and defend our people. The President of the United States, as Supreme Commander, must use all available powers to protect our country.”

DeSantis then cited the cartels that shipped illegal drugs, including fentanyl, to the United States and wondered “how many tens of thousands” of Americans are left to die.

He then went on to say that on “day one” he would treat the Mexican cartels as hostile and would support sending special forces across the border.

“So as president I would use force, would I treat them like foreign terrorist organizations?” DeSantis said. “You’re damn right, I would.”

The first question of the night was about the economy, which voters say is one of their most important issues for the 2024 election. It went to DeSantis and he used it to address Joe Biden and the president’s oldest son, Hunter. traps.

“We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse America’s decline,” Florida’s governor said.

As former Vice President Mike Pence and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy argued over federal spending, DeSantis stepped in with a message addressed to each of the last two presidents.

Trump issued federal guidelines on lockdowns, which DeSantis initially followed, but eventually ended up in the Sunshine State. Pictured: Trump appeared in an interview with Tucker Carlson instead of the debate stage

DeSantis later turned fully to President Biden, praising how he would handle the border crisis

“We can’t succeed as a country if you work hard and you can’t afford groceries, a car or a new house, while Hunter Biden can make hundreds of thousands of dollars off worthless paintings. That’s wrong.’

Biden was also targeted when DeSantis addressed his response to the Maui wildfires during the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday night.

“Biden was on the beach while those people were struggling,” the Florida governor said in response to a question about climate change.

He was asked about it and said no comment. Are you joking? As someone who has handled disasters in Florida, you must be activated. You have to be there, be present and help people who do it.’

Ron DeSantis gets his makeup done during a commercial break

The candidates take the stage during the Republican debate: LR), former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum

Biden visited Maui Monday to witness the devastation of the wildfires, but was criticized for trying to deal with the victims by dredging up his own family tragedy and talking about a decades-old kitchen fire at his home.

Prior to his visit, Biden was heavily criticized for not commenting on the disaster while on a beach vacation.

It remains unclear whether any candidate can use the night to gain enough ground to seriously challenge Trump: The former president leads DeSantis in the rankings by 41 points. Polling average from RealClearPolitics and leads Ramaswamy with 49 points.

These two are the former president’s biggest challengers.