DeSantis promises to start ‘slitting throats’ of the ‘deep state’ on day one of presidency

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a New Hampshire 2024 campaign event this week that when he gets into the Oval Office, on day one, he will start “slitting throats” of the “deep state.”

The “deep state” is a term colloquially used by conservatives and those opposed to the “establishment” to describe a group of Washington, D.C. government officials who remain in power for long periods of time to serve the interests of the “elite” rather than the average American voter.

He also reportedly used the phrase of “slitting throats” previously when speaking about his vision for the Department of Defense, if president.

“I think the idea that you take a flag [officer] or general officer who recently retired and put them as [secretary of Defense], I think it is a mistake,” he said.

“We’re going to have somebody out there, you know, be very firm, very strong, but they are going to make sure that we have the best people in the best positions, and there’s not going to be necessarily prior relationships that would cloud that judgment,” DeSantis said.

His comments have drawn ire from the press and other groups opposed to his presidential bid.

The Washington Post reported that federal unions “bash[ed]” DeSantis over the “escalating rhetoric.”

Other figures slammed DeSantis for the “dangerous” rhetoric.

During his bid for president, the governor has continuously differentiated himself from the “establishment” and “D.C.” Republicans or politicians.

“I would push back on this idea that I’m representing establishment forces,” DeSantis previously argued. “I get attacked by the corporate press more than anybody running for office, more than Joe Biden, and now more than Donald Trump.”

“To slay the deep state – this big unaccountable bureaucracy that’s been weaponized, that we’ve been complaining about as Republicans for decades – to be able to slay that that is going to require discipline.”