DeSantis vows to 'start slitting throats' of federal workers on Day One of presidency

DeSantis vows to 'start slitting throats' of federal workers on Day One of presidency

Federal workforce group calls the comments "disqualifying."

By ERIC KATZ | 2 HOURS AGO

It has become a common trope for politicians: provide red meat to constituents by promising to reduce the size of the federal workforce. A top presidential candidate this week echoed that proposal, but used some novel language to describe his potential actions.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who is in a distant second place in most polling of the 2024 Republican presidential field, told supporters in New Hampshire he would slit the throats of federal bureaucrats on his first day in office. The governor has frequently used fiery rhetoric and has not shied away from high profile fights, but the comments were met with swift pushback.

“We’re going to have all these deep state people,” DeSantis said at a barbecue in Rye, N.H., when speaking about the federal bureaucracy, according to reporting from New Hampshire Public Radio. “We’re going to start slitting throats on day one.”


Conservatives have frequently accused the federal workforce—particularly during the Trump administration—of engaging in shadow operations to prevent the implementation of right-wing initiatives, often referring to those efforts as the “deep state.” DeSantis in particular has based the foundations of his campaign around the notion that government—and private corporations—have become too “woke,” and vowed to dismantle public institutions he sees as perpetuating those efforts.

Gov. DeSantis’ threat to ‘start slitting throats’ of federal employees is dangerous, disgusting, disgraceful, and disqualifying,” AFGE President Everett Kelley said. “These public servants deserve respect and commendation from our nation’s leaders. No federal employee should face death threats from anyone, least of all from someone seeking to lead the U.S. government.”

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