() Republican Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier defended his state’s work with the Trump administration’s immigration efforts and said lawmakers who don’t like it should leave.
Uthmeier recently suggested a new detention facility in Florida’s Everglades, which he dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility would be able to house those awaiting deportation and facilitate deportation flights because it has an airstrip. It would also be surrounded by pythons and alligators that call the Everglades home.
Florida has been working closely with the Trump administration on deportations. Recently, Uthmeier was held in contempt of court for violating a judge’s order blocking part of a new immigration law.
Uthmeier told the judge, along with others who have ruled against the Trump administration, are out of line.
“We’re seeing judges across the country that are not following the law. They want to push policy. They want to push their own legislative ideas. That is not the role of the judiciary,” he said.
Uthmeier also had harsh words for Democratic lawmakers who have spoken out against deportations or the Trump administration. He recently called for Rep. Ilhan Omar to be deported after she criticized a military parade held on Trump’s birthday.
“You have leaders in this country that are attacking our country. They’re fighting with the principles upon which America was founded. If that’s going to happen, you don’t have to stay here,” he said. “You can go home. You can leave this country if you hate it so much.”
Uthmeier also had harsh words for lawmakers who have tried to visit detention centers to observe the conditions inside.
“These leftist radical members of Congress running to ICE facilities, trying to obstruct justice, they’re not going to be able to get to the middle of the Everglades, I’ll tell you that,” he said.
