California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested "kidnapping charges" for Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, Breitbart reported. Newsom seized on another opportunity to take a shot at his political rival over the relocation of illegal immigrants.
Newsom took a swipe at DeSantis Monday after news broke that 16 illegal immigrants, mostly from Venezuela and Columbia, were bused from New Mexico to Sacramento, California. They were left Friday at the "doorstep of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento" after allegedly not being asked or told about where they were headed.
President Joe Biden and the Democrats have created an immigration crisis by opening the borders to all comers. DeSantis and other GOP officials have pushed back with their own solution by busing these newcomers to Democratic areas that claim to be "sanctuary" cities and states.
Now that he has entered the 2024 race, DeSantis has become the main target for people like Newsom. The California governor, in particular, relishes the chance to skewer Republicans even as his state hemorrhaged residents in recent years.
Democrats love to virtue signal about welcoming all migrants regardless of the stress and cost to the system. However, when DeSantis famously flew illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, the left had a meltdown.
The California governor used that situation to make his threat against DeSantis in a tweet Monday. "@RonDeSantis you small, pathetic man. This isn't Martha's Vineyard," Newsom wrote.
"Kidnapping charges? Read the following," the California governor urged with a link to his state's statute.
The way politicians are dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants has provided the perfect juxtaposition between the two parties. Democrats clearly understand that their stance is not working, and they're desperate to turn it around on Republicans who try to highlight the issue by sending the migrants to "welcoming places."
That's exactly what happened on Monday as another planeload of illegal immigrants showed up in Sacramento after the debacle Friday, Fox News reported. Both flights were conducted by the same contractor, and the migrants had documents indicating the move was connected to the Florida government.
Newsom is publicly threatening to use this to slap DeSantis with a kidnapping charge. "My Administration is also working with the California Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances around who paid for the group’s travel and whether the individuals orchestrating this trip misled anyone with false promises or have violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping," Newsom claimed.
In his own statement Saturday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he has launched an investigation. Bonta claims he is "evaluating potential criminal or civil action against those who transported or arranged for the transport of these vulnerable immigrants" related to the relocation.
"While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting," Bonta said. "We are a nation built by immigrants, and we must condemn the cruelty and hateful rhetoric of those, whether they are state leaders or private parties, who refuse to recognize humanity and who turn their backs on extending dignity and care to fellow human beings."
Earlier this year, DeSantis signed off on continuing the $12 million "Unauthorized Alien Transport Program" to ship migrants to these sanctuary cities and states. Not only does it take the burden off of Florida, but it also exposes hypocrites like Newsom and Biden.
Democrats push for illegal immigration because they love the potential of such a voting bloc. However, when forced to bear the burden of caring for these people, they become apoplectic and make threats, just like Newsom did.
