Incoming National Security Adviser Rep. Mike Waltz reportedly stated on Sunday that President Donald Trump will directly confront the drug gangs operating in Mexico, which aligns with the expectations of the American populace.
Waltz’s comments could potentially indicate that the Trump administration plans on taking military action against the cartels.
Waltz appeared on the most recent episode of Face the Nation on CBS News on Sunday morning, discussing various national security matters with host Margaret Brennan, including the TikTok ban and Trump’s deadline extension, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as well as immigration and the southern border.
While outlining agenda items and forthcoming actions during Trump’s initial weeks in office, including executive orders, Waltz asserted that Trump possesses a “clear mandate” regarding border security, the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants, and confronting the cartels.
“I can’t emphasize enough though, Margaret, on the border, the American people gave him a clear mandate, lock down our border, deport the worst of the worst, take on the cartels. We cannot have a situation where we have paramilitary gangs that are shooting down aircraft with heavy weapons, controlling 30 percent of our neighbor Mexico and controlling whole swathes of our border.” Waltz said during his conversation with Brennan.
“You’re talking about perhaps an executive order designating cartels as a terrorist group or designating in some way?” she said in response.
“I don’t want to get ahead of the announcements.” he said in response.
“OK.” Brennan said.
“But we have to – we have to deal with them, with what they are.” Waltz added.
“These are – these are paramilitary organizations with billions at their disposal, with armored vehicles, heavy machine guns that are fighting the Mexican army, not police, army, to a standstill. President Trump was clear on the campaign trail that we’re going to take them on.” he concluded.
Subsequent to the show, Politico published a post on X regarding his remarks on confronting the cartels, which Waltz subsequently reshared, adding his own commentary.
Damn right. The American people expect it. https://t.co/2rxym1bVlF
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) January 19, 2025
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