Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is hitting back at the laughable complaints from illegal aliens being held at Alligator Alcatraz.
During a news conference in Gainesville, Florida, DeSantis called out legislators who have tried to criticize the conditions at the new illegal immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades.
“So, they’re making these claims and they’re saying oh they [illegals] are not fed well. Well, first of all, they’re fed the same that the staff is fed. You know you go to, it’s not a prison, it’s a deportation processing center. So, it is different,” DeSantis shot back.
“But like in Florida prisons, do you think the prisoners get the same meals as the guards? No, of course not. It’s different. This is — everyone’s the same there, and they were mad that the ham sandwiches weren’t toasted. Excuse me?” the Governor continued. “I mean, give me a break,” DeSantis added.
The governor said he was confident detainees are being treated appropriately and noted that any legal claims would be addressed by the Department of Homeland Security.
He also accused Democrats and left-wing groups seeking access to the facility of fabricating claims for “notoriety.”
“It’s odd that they’re going in there. You have these representatives. I mean first of all, they’re just trying to get some notoriety, so they are making these claims. DHS required there to be certain things. I know the legal was a part of that. There is recreation. I know that people say there’s not and there is. I’m confident that whatever’s required will be provided,” DeSantis said.
“First of all, they’re fed the same as the staff is fed. It’s not a prison; it’s a deportation processing center, so it is different. But, like in Florida prisons, do you think the prisoners get the same meals as the guards? No, of course not. It’s different. Listen, everyone’s the same there,” the governor added.
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Florida’s top emergency management official has also fired back at Democrats who tried to manufacture outrage over the state’s new illegal migrant detention facility.
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, appeared on “Jesse Watters Primetime” and said the political theater on display during a bipartisan tour of the facility was off the charts.
More than 60 lawmakers showed up over a recent weekend, but Guthrie said some came to act, not observe.
“Absolutely,” Guthrie said when asked if anyone was trying to stir up controversy. “One of my favorites was an individual who had an infrared thermometer and pointed it at a light bulb. And it was 110 degrees. I said, ‘Let’s actually pull that down to where the ambient air is at, and not point it at the light bulb.’”
Democrats also complained about the toilet setup. Guthrie made it clear that the facility meets or exceeds all standards, state and national.
“This is a standard lock-up toilet system that’s in any secured facility,” he said. “There is a sink there, there is a toilet there. Whether you’re brushing your teeth or using the restroom, it’s a restroom. That’s what people do.”
Then came the turkey sandwich drama. Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reportedly described it as “gray” — without even opening the wrapper.
“That might be one of my favorites,” Guthrie said. “She was about six feet away from the turkey sandwich box, that was in a wrapper, so I don’t know how she could tell it was gray. But let’s be honest — hospital food, school lunches under Michelle Obama’s program — it’s the same thing. Nobody’s getting filet mignon.”