Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said President Joe Biden should “unleash American energy” rather than seek resources from other countries or release oil from strategic reserves. The governor’s press briefing Tuesday was held in Hamilton County, Florida, where he announced “$5.4 million to improve public infrastructure and support manufacturing in the area.”
At the conference, he touched on several pressing matters of national policy, including education, illegal immigration, law enforcement, and inflation, which DeSantis blamed largely on Biden. He called the Biden administration’s policies on many of the national issues “self-inflicted wounds.”
“The federal government doesn’t want to do energy domestically,” DeSantis said. “We have the ability to be energy independent,” he added, citing the Keystone Pipeline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
However, he said Washington is standing in the way of energy independence by “not allowing all these leases on all these federal lands.”
TOP REPUBLICAN BACKS CONGRESSIONAL BID OF VIRAL LOUDOUN SCHOOL CLOSINGS CRITIC
He then shifted his attention to the southern border, citing the more than 2 million illegal immigrants who have crossed the border since Jan. 20, 2021, and further referenced increases in the trafficking of humans and drugs, particularly fentanyl.
DeSantis warned of the lethal drug, noting that it is the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 18 and 45.
He said the termination of Title 42 on May 23 will mean even more illegal immigrants and substances entering the country.
The governor made a point of discussing his most recent success, the signing of the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexuality from kindergarten through third grade.
He referenced his own daughter, who is 5 years old, and how “inappropriate” it would be for her to learn about sexuality in school.
He further told the story of a child in Florida who was socially transitioned at school, including a new name, without the mother’s knowledge. “That is wrong,” the governor said.
Schools “do not supersede the rights of parents,” he added.
DeSantis made sure to mention police as well, reiterating, “We’re going to support law enforcement.” He also announced raises and bonuses for law enforcement last week.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“We never once backed down from supporting the folks who wear the uniform, who wear the badge, who put themselves at risk to keep us safe,” he said upon signing HB 3. “We wanted to say that this law enforcement profession is a noble calling, and we want to support you if you make that decision to protect and serve.”
