Trump Receives Briefing on Drug-Trafficking Operations at U.S. Southern Command in Florida
President Donald Trump flew to the critical battleground state of Florida Friday, a state battling with a dramatic uptick in coronavirus cases, to highlight his administration’s efforts to halt drug trafficking from Central and South America.
The president has sought to highlight efforts to curb the flow of drugs as part of his re-election effort, but the event will likely be overshadowed by the state’s struggle with a new surge in coronavirus cases, making it the global epicenter of the pandemic following its reopening.
Florida reported 93 more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday as the pandemic continues to spread.
Trump arrived in Doral, Florida, where he toured the U.S. Southern Command and attended a briefing on anti-drug trafficking in South America before hosting a roundtable discussion on Venezuela at the nearby Iglesia Doral Jesus Worship Center. The latter event is aimed at courting Hispanic voters ahead of the November election.
Without calling attention to the virus pandemic in Florida, Trump said the coronavirus pandemic had disrupted drug interdiction efforts.
“But before it hit, we were doing really well,” Trump said. “Unfortunately, the shutdowns caused by the China virus have led to a recent rise in overdose deaths.”
Later he will attend a private political fundraiser in Hillsboro Beach, just outside Miami.
Trump, trailing in the polls, is eager to signal that normal life can resume despite a rampaging virus that has killed more than 130,000 Americans.
His visit to Florida takes him to terrain where COVID-19’s surge threatens his hold on a must-win state and raises questions about Republican aims to hold their nominating convention in Jacksonville next month.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2TwO8Gm
QUICKTAKE ON SOCIAL:
Follow QuickTake on Twitter: twitter.com/quicktake
Like QuickTake on Facebook: facebook.com/quicktake
Follow QuickTake on Instagram: instagram.com/quicktake
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJ0oQZ
Email us at [email protected]
QuickTake by Bloomberg is a global news network delivering up-to-the-minute analysis on the biggest news, trends and ideas for a new generation of leaders.
source
