Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) presidential campaign is facing hurdles. The governor however is still in the race, and in a recent, campaign stop, DeSantis made a bold claim. DeSantis called for defunding the United Nations (UN).
Calling the U.N. a “farce,” DeSantis explained that there are several reasons why the U.N. should be defunded. Moreover, DeSantis cited recent comments from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as indicative of why the U.N. should be defunded.
“We, the American people, are sovereign. We don’t give up sovereignty to international organizations… your participation in something like the U.N., if it’s short of giving sovereignty, you still have to ask the question ‘what’s it actually doing?’” DeSantis questioned when asked to share his views on the U.N.
“The U.N. is basically a hotbed for antisemitism… and some of the worst elements of the world that get together. They couldn’t even bring themselves to condemn Hamas massacring all those Israeli civilians.”
In response to Israel’s defensive strategies, U.N. Secretary-General Guterres has called for a humanitarian ceasefire, which has drawn the ire of Republicans including DeSantis.
“I was encouraged in the last days by what seemed to be a growing consensus in the international community… for the need of at least a humanitarian pausing in the fighting,” said Guterres in late October.
Speaking on the Guterres call for a ceasefire, DeSantis commented that “now, the head of the U.N. says there should be a ceasefire. Like, wait a minute, they can attack you, then you’re not allowed to fight back?”
“They’re basically saying that somehow this was Israel’s fault with all this,” DeSantis added.
Lawmakers have been divided regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in a resolution being introduced to censure Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D).
23 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to table the resolution.
