Staff Reports
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is making bold promises to shake up the bureaucratic mess in Washington, D.C. if he becomes the president of the United States. Taking a cue from former President Donald Trump, DeSantis has set his sights on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is determined to move the entire agency out of the capital and into the heartland of real farm country.
DeSantis announced his ambitious plan in a Thursday post on X, stating, “When I’m President, Iowa will have first dibs on the Department of Agriculture.” He emphasized the need for the USDA to be staffed by individuals who have a genuine understanding of agriculture and farming, rather than arrogant bureaucrats imposing their own agenda.
When I’m President, Iowa will have first dibs on the Department of Agriculture.
An agency like the USDA should be staffed by Americans who understand agriculture and farming, not pointy-headed bureaucrats imposing an agenda. pic.twitter.com/xc3A0RuIM9
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) December 14, 2023
In a video accompanying his post, DeSantis conveyed his desire to relocate many federal agencies away from D.C. so that they can better align with the people they serve. He proposed the idea of moving the civil rights division of the Justice Department to Oklahoma and suggested that the Department of Agriculture could find its new home in Iowa. The governor believes that dispersing power away from Washington is essential.
This particular idea has long been cherished by conservatives. Former President Trump made moves to “drain the swamp” by relocating the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Colorado. However, once the Biden administration assumed control, the bureau promptly returned to D.C., as pointed out by The Hill in 2021.
Moving federal agencies out of the capital is one thing, but many conservatives would prefer their complete elimination. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, for instance, aims to defund and shut down numerous agencies, including the Department of Education, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the IRS, and even the disgraced FBI.
In a June interview, DeSantis shared his thoughts with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum, expressing his desire to abolish the Departments of Commerce and Energy. If Congress doesn’t provide the necessary support, DeSantis is prepared to use these departments to push back against “woke ideology” and the encroaching leftism that he believes is infiltrating American institutions.
While relocating federal agencies would be a positive step, the best outcome for this great nation would be the elimination of many of these bloated organizations. It’s worth noting that The Western Journal, which published this report, faces significant financial challenges due to its commitment to truth and its refusal to toe the liberal line. Readers are encouraged to support independent, truth-seeking media outlets like The Western Journal in their quest to uphold traditional American values.
