1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,510 please welcome the Secretary of Defense , 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:03,850 Mark Esper . 3 00:00:21,170 --> 00:00:23,281 Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome 4 00:00:23,281 --> 00:00:25,337 the President of the United States , 5 00:00:25,337 --> 00:00:27,150 Donald J . Trump . 6 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:55,262 Thank you very much . 7 00:01:02,010 --> 00:01:04,780 I guess I might begin . It's an honor 8 00:01:04,780 --> 00:01:08,590 to be with you really 9 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:10,812 brave men and women . The job you do is 10 00:01:10,812 --> 00:01:12,980 incredible in the progress you've made 11 00:01:12,980 --> 00:01:15,140 in the last short period of time has 12 00:01:15,140 --> 00:01:17,890 been unbelievable . On April 1st of 13 00:01:17,890 --> 00:01:20,510 this year , I announced the launch of a 14 00:01:20,510 --> 00:01:22,320 powerful U . S . Military law 15 00:01:22,320 --> 00:01:24,320 enforcement operation to combat the 16 00:01:24,320 --> 00:01:26,700 flow of illegal drugs across the 17 00:01:26,700 --> 00:01:28,850 Western Hemisphere . Today , I'm 18 00:01:28,850 --> 00:01:31,150 pleased to be with Admiral Craig Faller 19 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,130 and his team done an incredible job at 20 00:01:35,140 --> 00:01:36,751 the U . S . Southern Command 21 00:01:36,751 --> 00:01:38,820 headquarters to provide an update on 22 00:01:38,820 --> 00:01:41,150 this incredible successful effort . 23 00:01:41,750 --> 00:01:43,806 We're joined by Secretary of Defense 24 00:01:43,806 --> 00:01:46,290 Mark Esper . Thank you , Mark . Acting 25 00:01:46,290 --> 00:01:48,300 Secretary of Homeland Security Chad 26 00:01:48,300 --> 00:01:50,360 Wolf . Jed . Thank you . Thank you . 27 00:01:51,430 --> 00:01:53,600 Common int of U . S . Coast guard Ed 28 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:57,050 Will Carl Chills Admiral , 29 00:01:57,940 --> 00:02:00,030 Associate Deputy Attorney General 30 00:02:00,180 --> 00:02:02,940 Amanda List . Come . Thank you . Thank 31 00:02:02,940 --> 00:02:06,930 you . Amanda . Congressman Mario 32 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:09,470 Diaz Balart , who was a friend of mine 33 00:02:09,470 --> 00:02:11,692 for a long time . Thank you very much . 34 00:02:11,692 --> 00:02:13,692 Where a great job you're doing down 35 00:02:13,692 --> 00:02:15,914 here and many , many others leaders and 36 00:02:15,914 --> 00:02:19,080 military geniuses and people that do a 37 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,440 fantastic job . In just 12 weeks , 38 00:02:22,450 --> 00:02:25,190 South calms surge . Operation conducted 39 00:02:25,190 --> 00:02:27,910 with key regional partners has resulted 40 00:02:27,910 --> 00:02:30,830 in more than 1000 arrests and the 41 00:02:31,140 --> 00:02:34,670 interdiction of 120 metric 42 00:02:34,670 --> 00:02:37,350 tons . I can only tell you that's a lot 43 00:02:38,010 --> 00:02:39,899 of narcotics worth . Billions and 44 00:02:39,899 --> 00:02:42,066 billions of dollars were determined to 45 00:02:42,066 --> 00:02:44,232 keep dangerous jugs out of the country 46 00:02:44,232 --> 00:02:46,010 and away from our Children were 47 00:02:46,010 --> 00:02:48,110 securing our seas were securing our 48 00:02:48,110 --> 00:02:50,332 borders . Is the new operation not been 49 00:02:50,332 --> 00:02:53,050 done before ? And this operation has 50 00:02:53,050 --> 00:02:55,730 been incredibly successful , as you 51 00:02:55,730 --> 00:02:57,897 know , in the United States at least , 52 00:02:57,897 --> 00:03:00,080 and this operation has been incredibly 53 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,690 successful , as you know , in the 54 00:03:02,690 --> 00:03:05,760 United States , at least before the the 55 00:03:05,770 --> 00:03:08,140 cove it came to us . The flu , the 56 00:03:08,150 --> 00:03:10,370 virus , the China virus , whatever 57 00:03:10,370 --> 00:03:12,314 you'd like to call , it's got many 58 00:03:12,314 --> 00:03:14,426 different names . But before it hit , 59 00:03:14,426 --> 00:03:16,648 we were doing really well . We're still 60 00:03:16,648 --> 00:03:18,870 doing very well , but now we're getting 61 00:03:18,870 --> 00:03:20,814 back on track . Last year , 70,000 62 00:03:20,814 --> 00:03:22,759 precious American lives were taken 63 00:03:22,759 --> 00:03:24,981 because of the poison the cartels bring 64 00:03:24,981 --> 00:03:26,537 into our country . Under my 65 00:03:26,537 --> 00:03:29,300 administration , drug overdose deaths 66 00:03:29,300 --> 00:03:31,540 fell for the first time in nearly 30 67 00:03:31,540 --> 00:03:33,720 years , and they fell fairly 68 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,040 substantially . Unfortunately , the 69 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:38,090 shutdowns caused by the China virus 70 00:03:38,090 --> 00:03:41,030 have led to a recent rise in overdose 71 00:03:41,210 --> 00:03:43,870 deaths still below the level that they 72 00:03:43,870 --> 00:03:46,092 were at . But nevertheless , it went up 73 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,329 a little bit . This is one of the 74 00:03:48,329 --> 00:03:50,384 reasons that we're working to safely 75 00:03:50,384 --> 00:03:52,440 and responsibly reopen our country , 76 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,496 reopen our schools , get our country 77 00:03:54,496 --> 00:03:57,570 going again 100% where setting records 78 00:03:57,570 --> 00:03:59,626 on jobs were setting records on many 79 00:03:59,626 --> 00:04:01,737 different things . We're gonna have a 80 00:04:01,737 --> 00:04:03,903 great third quarter . Third quarter is 81 00:04:03,903 --> 00:04:05,959 gonna be tremendous numbers . Fourth 82 00:04:05,959 --> 00:04:07,903 quarter . Likewise , and next year 83 00:04:07,903 --> 00:04:09,959 economically will be one of the best 84 00:04:09,959 --> 00:04:12,070 years we've ever had . But you'll see 85 00:04:12,070 --> 00:04:12,060 the numbers starting to come out really , 86 00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:14,227 really high in the third quarter , and 87 00:04:14,227 --> 00:04:16,449 you've already seen the record breaking 88 00:04:16,449 --> 00:04:18,940 job numbers . NASDAQ just hit recently 89 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:23,170 about 12 record highs , 12 days record 90 00:04:23,170 --> 00:04:25,230 eyes and the other markets are right 91 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,518 behind it . They'll be hitting records , 92 00:04:27,518 --> 00:04:29,573 hopefully very shortly . Also , that 93 00:04:29,573 --> 00:04:31,684 means people have a lot of confidence 94 00:04:31,684 --> 00:04:33,740 of what we're doing with the help of 95 00:04:33,740 --> 00:04:35,796 the heroes here in South Com , Coast 96 00:04:35,796 --> 00:04:37,462 Guard C B P D E . A . And law 97 00:04:37,462 --> 00:04:39,580 enforcement will work relentlessly to 98 00:04:39,580 --> 00:04:42,200 seize illegal drugs . Arrest while 99 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,060 traffickers . The traffickers are truly 100 00:04:45,060 --> 00:04:47,330 vile . They're terrible , terrible 101 00:04:47,330 --> 00:04:50,210 people what they do mostly to women and 102 00:04:50,210 --> 00:04:53,040 Children but women and dismantle 103 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:55,170 criminal cartels who are responsible 104 00:04:55,170 --> 00:04:56,948 for the deaths of thousands and 105 00:04:56,948 --> 00:04:59,059 thousands of Americans . I'd like now 106 00:04:59,059 --> 00:05:02,380 to introduce Secretary Esper to say a 107 00:05:02,380 --> 00:05:04,580 few words weren't please . Yes , thank 108 00:05:04,580 --> 00:05:06,802 you . Thank you , President . Thank you 109 00:05:06,802 --> 00:05:08,913 very much . Thank you , Mark and good 110 00:05:08,913 --> 00:05:11,080 afternoon , everyone . It's a pleasure 111 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:10,580 to be here today to discuss the 112 00:05:10,580 --> 00:05:12,469 successes of our enhanced counter 113 00:05:12,469 --> 00:05:14,640 narcotics operations in the Eastern 114 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:17,370 Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea . 115 00:05:18,050 --> 00:05:19,939 The Department defense began this 116 00:05:19,939 --> 00:05:21,828 initiative alongside our Internet 117 00:05:21,828 --> 00:05:24,050 interagency partners at the president's 118 00:05:24,050 --> 00:05:26,330 direction on April 1st . As part of our 119 00:05:26,330 --> 00:05:28,386 whole of government effort to combat 120 00:05:28,386 --> 00:05:30,330 the flow of illicit drugs into our 121 00:05:30,330 --> 00:05:32,400 country and to protect the American 122 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:34,950 people , transnational criminal 123 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,350 organizations have destroyed far too 124 00:05:37,350 --> 00:05:39,683 many American lives by smuggling heroin , 125 00:05:39,683 --> 00:05:42,030 cocaine , fentanyl and methamphetamines 126 00:05:42,030 --> 00:05:44,300 in your country , leading to drug 127 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:46,022 overdoses and addiction in our 128 00:05:46,022 --> 00:05:48,078 communities . Moreover , the profits 129 00:05:48,078 --> 00:05:50,380 derived from these activities support a 130 00:05:50,390 --> 00:05:52,770 range of bad actors , from cartels in 131 00:05:52,770 --> 00:05:54,760 Mexico to the illegitimate Maduro 132 00:05:54,770 --> 00:05:57,440 regime which continues to oppress the 133 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,830 Venezuelan people despite the 134 00:05:59,830 --> 00:06:01,886 challenges posed by the Corona virus 135 00:06:01,886 --> 00:06:03,219 pandemic are enhanced . 136 00:06:03,219 --> 00:06:05,386 Counternarcotics operations have shown 137 00:06:05,386 --> 00:06:07,219 great success encountering those 138 00:06:07,219 --> 00:06:09,108 threats by disrupting the flow of 139 00:06:09,108 --> 00:06:11,330 illicit drugs . Denying our adversaries 140 00:06:11,330 --> 00:06:13,552 financial resource is and strengthening 141 00:06:13,552 --> 00:06:15,608 the capacity of partner countries in 142 00:06:15,608 --> 00:06:17,719 the region . Since the end of March , 143 00:06:17,719 --> 00:06:19,886 we have employed in the U . S Southern 144 00:06:19,886 --> 00:06:22,108 Command area of responsibility 75% more 145 00:06:22,108 --> 00:06:24,052 surveillance aircraft and 65% more 146 00:06:24,052 --> 00:06:26,386 ships than normal for drug interdiction . 147 00:06:26,990 --> 00:06:29,046 These additional assets include four 148 00:06:29,046 --> 00:06:30,990 Navy destroyers , five Coast guard 149 00:06:30,990 --> 00:06:33,390 cutters and eight aircraft . Currently , 150 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,400 nearly a dozen Navy and Coast Guard 151 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:37,567 ships and over 15 aircraft from across 152 00:06:37,567 --> 00:06:39,511 the interagency are supporting our 153 00:06:39,511 --> 00:06:41,930 efforts in addition to security forces 154 00:06:41,930 --> 00:06:44,290 deployed to the region . Further , we 155 00:06:44,290 --> 00:06:46,380 have successfully engaged and 156 00:06:46,380 --> 00:06:49,040 encouraged 22 partner nations to join 157 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,170 us in this fight and step up their 158 00:06:51,170 --> 00:06:53,570 involvement in drug interdictions . As 159 00:06:53,570 --> 00:06:55,792 a result of these enhanced operations , 160 00:06:55,792 --> 00:06:57,737 South Calm and our interagency and 161 00:06:57,737 --> 00:06:59,848 international partners have disrupted 162 00:06:59,848 --> 00:07:02,760 more than 122 metric tons of cocaine as 163 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:06,540 well as over £18,000 of marijuana . We 164 00:07:06,540 --> 00:07:08,480 denied nearly $2 billion in drug 165 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:10,536 profits . Increased are targeting of 166 00:07:10,536 --> 00:07:13,350 known smuggling maritime events by 60% 167 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:15,670 and neutralized dozens of members of 168 00:07:15,670 --> 00:07:17,837 transnational criminal organizations . 169 00:07:18,790 --> 00:07:20,790 These efforts have been critical to 170 00:07:20,790 --> 00:07:22,790 saving countless American lives and 171 00:07:22,790 --> 00:07:24,734 making our communities healthier , 172 00:07:24,734 --> 00:07:26,957 healthier , safer and stronger . I want 173 00:07:26,957 --> 00:07:28,901 to thank the President , President 174 00:07:28,901 --> 00:07:31,012 Trump for his leadership and bring us 175 00:07:31,012 --> 00:07:30,900 together and support this critical 176 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:32,900 mission . Thank you , sir . And I'm 177 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:34,789 grateful for the hard work of our 178 00:07:34,789 --> 00:07:36,844 partners , including the U S . Coast 179 00:07:36,844 --> 00:07:38,789 Guard , the Department of Homeland 180 00:07:38,789 --> 00:07:38,720 Security , the Drug Enforcement 181 00:07:38,730 --> 00:07:40,674 Administration , the Department of 182 00:07:40,674 --> 00:07:42,786 Justice , members of the intelligence 183 00:07:42,786 --> 00:07:44,952 community and support from Congress as 184 00:07:44,952 --> 00:07:47,286 well . For all their efforts , together , 185 00:07:47,286 --> 00:07:49,452 we will maintain our enhanced presence 186 00:07:49,452 --> 00:07:51,508 in the region , keep the pressure on 187 00:07:51,508 --> 00:07:53,397 transnational criminal groups and 188 00:07:53,397 --> 00:07:55,397 protect America and our communities 189 00:07:55,397 --> 00:07:57,397 from the scourge of illicit drugs . 190 00:07:57,397 --> 00:07:56,850 Thank you . 191 00:08:04,540 --> 00:08:08,220 Thank you , sir . This President 192 00:08:09,230 --> 00:08:11,820 Sectary Esper Secretary Will ship make 193 00:08:11,830 --> 00:08:14,052 Carl Schulz hometown congressman here ? 194 00:08:14,052 --> 00:08:16,650 Mario Diaz Balart . Thank you all for 195 00:08:16,650 --> 00:08:18,928 your support on this important mission . 196 00:08:18,928 --> 00:08:21,039 This mission is vital to our homeland 197 00:08:21,039 --> 00:08:23,160 defense . It truly is . And I'm proud 198 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:24,938 to say the efforts are making a 199 00:08:24,938 --> 00:08:26,827 difference , Miss President . And 200 00:08:26,827 --> 00:08:28,827 they're saving lives on a team here 201 00:08:28,827 --> 00:08:30,993 that's assembled deserves the credit . 202 00:08:31,070 --> 00:08:33,292 But the resource is that you've ordered 203 00:08:33,292 --> 00:08:35,237 have have made that happen . Other 204 00:08:35,237 --> 00:08:37,514 nations have stepped up , Mr President . 205 00:08:37,514 --> 00:08:39,570 Columbia , for one , have stepped up 206 00:08:39,570 --> 00:08:42,080 despite Cove . It U S leadership has 207 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,410 been a key key piece that Mr Mr 208 00:08:44,410 --> 00:08:46,632 President , I would have just wanted to 209 00:08:46,632 --> 00:08:48,799 show map . I have a little version for 210 00:08:48,799 --> 00:08:50,799 you . Just orient on the hemisphere 211 00:08:50,799 --> 00:08:53,060 here if we could put the map up . So 212 00:08:53,420 --> 00:08:56,460 South comes responsibility this Western 213 00:08:56,460 --> 00:08:58,182 Hemisphere . Really ? It's our 214 00:08:58,182 --> 00:09:00,238 neighborhood . It's it's so close to 215 00:09:00,238 --> 00:09:02,293 home . So what impacts the neighbors 216 00:09:02,293 --> 00:09:04,571 really has a high impact on us at home , 217 00:09:04,571 --> 00:09:06,682 Mr President . And that's why this is 218 00:09:06,682 --> 00:09:08,410 so important . There's so much 219 00:09:08,410 --> 00:09:10,577 opportunity here . It's our number two 220 00:09:10,577 --> 00:09:12,880 trading partner outside of Asia . And 221 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,910 so trade economics on democracy , 222 00:09:15,910 --> 00:09:18,070 importantly , and our partner nations 223 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,413 are willing . They want to work with us , 224 00:09:20,413 --> 00:09:22,413 and we work with partners . So from 225 00:09:22,413 --> 00:09:24,413 Guatemala on south and out into the 226 00:09:24,413 --> 00:09:26,710 Caribbean . But that's under assault is 227 00:09:26,710 --> 00:09:28,988 vicious circle of threats that you see , 228 00:09:28,988 --> 00:09:30,877 led by the transnational criminal 229 00:09:30,877 --> 00:09:33,043 accusations about a $90 billion a year 230 00:09:33,043 --> 00:09:36,270 enterprise and and it's speeds off 231 00:09:36,270 --> 00:09:38,340 corruption . And now the the added 232 00:09:38,340 --> 00:09:40,507 instability of Cove it . But as I said 233 00:09:40,507 --> 00:09:42,618 that partners have stepped up despite 234 00:09:42,618 --> 00:09:44,618 the cove it , which is a tribute to 235 00:09:44,618 --> 00:09:46,920 their to their security teams . There's 236 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:48,476 also another aspect in this 237 00:09:48,476 --> 00:09:50,476 neighborhood of ours , and it's you 238 00:09:50,476 --> 00:09:52,531 know what we call a national defense 239 00:09:52,531 --> 00:09:54,753 strategy , great power competition . So 240 00:09:54,753 --> 00:09:56,780 China has certainly looked at this 241 00:09:56,780 --> 00:09:58,836 neighborhood , is an opportunity for 242 00:09:58,836 --> 00:10:00,836 them . And when you think about the 243 00:10:00,836 --> 00:10:03,002 proximity of some of their investments 244 00:10:03,002 --> 00:10:05,113 Jamaica and El Salvador , it's Justus 245 00:10:05,113 --> 00:10:07,169 close to Washington as Miami is . If 246 00:10:07,169 --> 00:10:10,260 you look a comparative distances slide , 247 00:10:10,260 --> 00:10:12,790 please . But what are citizens want ? I 248 00:10:12,790 --> 00:10:15,012 know , certainly my dad in Western Ph . 249 00:10:15,012 --> 00:10:17,179 Who's watching one , says . They won't 250 00:10:17,179 --> 00:10:19,401 know if we're making a difference . And 251 00:10:19,401 --> 00:10:21,568 the numbers , as we've stated , really 252 00:10:21,568 --> 00:10:23,679 have at 15% more disruptions . That's 253 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:26,012 detainees . That's drugs off the street . 254 00:10:26,012 --> 00:10:27,846 That said , 122 metric tons Miss 255 00:10:27,846 --> 00:10:30,590 President and 60% more . Targeting is a 256 00:10:30,590 --> 00:10:32,701 big deal for us because that means we 257 00:10:32,701 --> 00:10:35,250 can put more assets on more targets on 258 00:10:35,250 --> 00:10:37,361 the enemy's scene , that we've gotten 259 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,489 information from our intelligence 260 00:10:39,489 --> 00:10:42,180 agencies that says the watch that and 261 00:10:42,180 --> 00:10:44,402 they're waiting and they're stockpiling 262 00:10:44,402 --> 00:10:46,347 and they're trying to change their 263 00:10:46,347 --> 00:10:48,569 tactics . Those additional Navy ships , 264 00:10:48,569 --> 00:10:50,680 the AWACS from the air Force Oklahoma 265 00:10:50,680 --> 00:10:52,902 Guard EMC 12 d e . A . Agents , a whole 266 00:10:52,902 --> 00:10:54,791 team effort , really a zoo making 267 00:10:54,791 --> 00:10:57,070 difference here . But that 70% partner 268 00:10:57,070 --> 00:10:59,550 participation is key Mr . President up . 269 00:11:00,020 --> 00:11:02,242 And I think of it this way . You know , 270 00:11:02,242 --> 00:11:04,353 on the field to compete when you goto 271 00:11:04,353 --> 00:11:06,409 golf or baseball , you want the best 272 00:11:06,409 --> 00:11:08,576 players with you and we certainly have 273 00:11:08,576 --> 00:11:10,798 those winners with us here today . Just 274 00:11:10,798 --> 00:11:13,020 wanted to introduce you to Mr President 275 00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:14,909 A Brigadier General , Juan Carlos 276 00:11:14,909 --> 00:11:16,964 Correa . If you'd stand up general , 277 00:11:16,964 --> 00:11:19,130 president , President do case sent us 278 00:11:19,130 --> 00:11:21,520 his vest and paying for it . So he 279 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:23,631 comes here fully paid by Colombia and 280 00:11:23,631 --> 00:11:25,687 he works for me . It's a recognition 281 00:11:25,687 --> 00:11:28,040 that Cumbie is with us and world in the 282 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:30,096 Korean War and they're with us today 283 00:11:30,340 --> 00:11:31,784 and making a difference . 284 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,230 And our Brazilian President Bolsa 285 00:11:37,230 --> 00:11:39,230 narrow , very new addition to our 286 00:11:39,230 --> 00:11:41,397 headquarters . Major General Divvied , 287 00:11:41,397 --> 00:11:43,563 one of the sharpest in Brazilian armed 288 00:11:43,563 --> 00:11:46,020 forces , is in RJ five organization 289 00:11:46,190 --> 00:11:48,690 again Brazilians paying for him to come 290 00:11:48,690 --> 00:11:50,540 here and work for me to make a 291 00:11:50,540 --> 00:11:52,707 difference of security . Brazil's been 292 00:11:52,707 --> 00:11:54,707 with us since World War two and our 293 00:11:54,707 --> 00:11:56,929 relationship is growing even stronger . 294 00:11:56,929 --> 00:11:56,550 Mr President 295 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,111 Last two points Miss President , that 296 00:12:03,111 --> 00:12:05,056 tactical into this fight . And you 297 00:12:05,056 --> 00:12:06,889 remember being in Key West Joint 298 00:12:06,889 --> 00:12:09,000 Interagency Task Force South . Josh , 299 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:10,722 you rang that bell and the the 300 00:12:10,722 --> 00:12:13,000 warfighters responsible for that fight . 301 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:14,944 Rear Admiral Doug Fears at the end 302 00:12:14,944 --> 00:12:17,111 commands giant itself and Master Chief 303 00:12:17,111 --> 00:12:19,240 Hendro debt . Is the senior enlisted 304 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,129 there ? They're the ones that are 305 00:12:21,129 --> 00:12:23,296 really day in and day out the tactical 306 00:12:23,296 --> 00:12:25,810 edge of this Pfizer . And tell you what , 307 00:12:25,820 --> 00:12:28,042 Mr . They're ringing enemies Bell every 308 00:12:28,042 --> 00:12:29,820 day , sir . Seemed to be It's a 309 00:12:29,820 --> 00:12:31,970 fantastic job . Thank you very much , 310 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:34,527 Mr Congressman like to say something . 311 00:12:34,527 --> 00:12:37,010 Thank you . This president Nothing . 312 00:12:37,020 --> 00:12:39,131 Nothing prepared . But But I can tell 313 00:12:39,131 --> 00:12:41,353 you , in my time of Congress , which is 314 00:12:41,353 --> 00:12:45,050 now almost 18 years , this region 315 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:47,990 has frankly been looked over . I just 316 00:12:48,750 --> 00:12:51,090 barely any attention paid to it . And 317 00:12:51,090 --> 00:12:53,312 sometimes when the attention was paid , 318 00:12:53,312 --> 00:12:56,220 bad things were done . Uh , I will tell 319 00:12:56,220 --> 00:12:59,130 you that your administration has 320 00:12:59,180 --> 00:13:02,680 emphasized freedom . I want to thank 321 00:13:02,680 --> 00:13:04,902 you , by the way , on a personal note , 322 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:07,760 liberty of more parochial note for your 323 00:13:07,770 --> 00:13:10,260 emphasis on helping the people of 324 00:13:10,260 --> 00:13:12,093 Venezuela regain their freedom , 325 00:13:12,300 --> 00:13:14,710 helping the people of Nicaragua regain 326 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:16,776 their freedom and your solidarity to 327 00:13:16,776 --> 00:13:19,750 the people of Cuba , which has been , 328 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:22,910 frankly , like we've never seen . But 329 00:13:22,910 --> 00:13:26,430 your leadership here in 330 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,100 fighting narcotics coming to the United 331 00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:32,670 States is literally saving American 332 00:13:32,850 --> 00:13:35,500 lives . So again , just as one who 333 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:37,990 represents Southern Command grateful 334 00:13:37,990 --> 00:13:40,101 for your emphasis of this command and 335 00:13:40,101 --> 00:13:43,080 what they do but for your leadership 336 00:13:43,090 --> 00:13:45,034 and actually saving American lives 337 00:13:45,034 --> 00:13:47,950 those who are victimized every year by 338 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,370 this scourge of illicit narcotics . So 339 00:13:50,370 --> 00:13:52,370 thank you for being here . But more 340 00:13:52,370 --> 00:13:54,203 importantly , thank you for your 341 00:13:54,203 --> 00:13:56,314 leadership and your emphasis on those 342 00:13:56,314 --> 00:13:55,590 key issues . Think Well , I want to 343 00:13:55,590 --> 00:13:57,590 thank you for your leadership . You 344 00:13:57,590 --> 00:13:59,368 have done a fantastic job . You 345 00:13:59,368 --> 00:14:01,368 represent the area so well . I know 346 00:14:01,368 --> 00:14:03,701 this area quite well as you can imagine , 347 00:14:03,860 --> 00:14:05,693 but I know it very well . Little 348 00:14:05,693 --> 00:14:07,820 Venezuela , we call it and incredible 349 00:14:07,820 --> 00:14:10,090 people . I know that , people . And 350 00:14:10,100 --> 00:14:12,322 we're gonna be fighting for Venezuela . 351 00:14:12,322 --> 00:14:14,970 We're gonna be fighting from for our 352 00:14:14,970 --> 00:14:16,914 friends from Cuba . They know that 353 00:14:16,914 --> 00:14:19,137 we've been doing that and so many other 354 00:14:19,137 --> 00:14:21,359 places . But Cuba , Venezuela , we have 355 00:14:21,359 --> 00:14:23,414 it very well under control . And you 356 00:14:23,414 --> 00:14:25,470 know what we're doing . And we're in 357 00:14:25,470 --> 00:14:27,692 touch all the time . So I want to thank 358 00:14:27,692 --> 00:14:29,637 you for your tremendous work . And 359 00:14:29,637 --> 00:14:29,580 maybe I could ask Amanda to say a few 360 00:14:29,580 --> 00:14:32,810 words , please . Thank you . I'm 361 00:14:32,810 --> 00:14:34,699 honored to be here today with our 362 00:14:34,699 --> 00:14:36,810 interagency partners to recognize the 363 00:14:36,810 --> 00:14:38,921 incredible work being done to disrupt 364 00:14:38,921 --> 00:14:41,199 the flow of drugs to the United States . 365 00:14:41,199 --> 00:14:43,143 Drug trafficking organizations are 366 00:14:43,143 --> 00:14:45,366 devastating this country with the drugs 367 00:14:45,366 --> 00:14:47,477 that they're pumping in . We continue 368 00:14:47,477 --> 00:14:47,290 to see Mexican cartels , traffic , 369 00:14:47,290 --> 00:14:49,760 cocaine , methamphetamine , heroin and 370 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,990 fentanyl into the United States . This 371 00:14:51,990 --> 00:14:53,768 fentanyl is fueling the ongoing 372 00:14:53,768 --> 00:14:55,690 domestic opioid crisis on , we're 373 00:14:55,690 --> 00:14:58,070 seeing an increasing surge in low cost , 374 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,270 high purity and high potency 375 00:15:00,270 --> 00:15:02,720 methamphetamine . Further , Colombian 376 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:04,498 cartels continue to control the 377 00:15:04,498 --> 00:15:06,680 production and supply of cocaine and 378 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:08,624 rely on a partnership with Mexican 379 00:15:08,624 --> 00:15:11,550 cartels to export multi ton quantities 380 00:15:11,740 --> 00:15:13,740 of cocaine from Colombia to U . S . 381 00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:16,900 Markets as thes drugs more readily 382 00:15:16,900 --> 00:15:18,920 available and more deadly . We're 383 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:20,864 seeing record level overdose death 384 00:15:20,864 --> 00:15:23,840 rates every year . More Americans die 385 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:25,951 from overdoses in the United States , 386 00:15:25,951 --> 00:15:27,784 then died in the entirety of the 387 00:15:27,784 --> 00:15:29,896 Vietnam War . And now , for the first 388 00:15:29,896 --> 00:15:31,896 time in our country's history , our 389 00:15:31,896 --> 00:15:34,007 odds of dying from an opioid overdose 390 00:15:34,007 --> 00:15:35,951 dose are greater than from a motor 391 00:15:35,951 --> 00:15:38,000 vehicle crash . The Department of 392 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,222 Justice is committed to defeating these 393 00:15:40,222 --> 00:15:42,389 cartels , who are directly responsible 394 00:15:42,389 --> 00:15:44,556 for the deaths of tens of thousands of 395 00:15:44,556 --> 00:15:46,611 Americans each year by flooding this 396 00:15:46,611 --> 00:15:48,611 country with addictive poison . The 397 00:15:48,611 --> 00:15:50,722 department charged a record number of 398 00:15:50,722 --> 00:15:52,556 defendants with drug trafficking 399 00:15:52,556 --> 00:15:54,778 offenses last year in an effort to hold 400 00:15:54,778 --> 00:15:57,056 these traffickers accountable . Indeed , 401 00:15:57,056 --> 00:15:59,000 several leaders of Mexican cartels 402 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,222 receive significant sentences , such as 403 00:16:01,222 --> 00:16:03,444 life imprisonment over the past several 404 00:16:03,444 --> 00:16:05,667 years . And despite the influx of drugs 405 00:16:05,667 --> 00:16:07,500 into the United States , D . A's 406 00:16:07,500 --> 00:16:09,778 domestic seizures are at record levels . 407 00:16:09,778 --> 00:16:12,111 However , this work alone is not enough . 408 00:16:12,111 --> 00:16:14,333 It is clear that we can obtain the most 409 00:16:14,333 --> 00:16:16,278 immediate result by increasing our 410 00:16:16,278 --> 00:16:18,389 ability to make drug interdictions at 411 00:16:18,389 --> 00:16:20,722 sea before they reach the United States . 412 00:16:20,722 --> 00:16:22,556 This surge has been a tremendous 413 00:16:22,556 --> 00:16:24,722 success . With over 120 metric tons of 414 00:16:24,722 --> 00:16:26,444 cocaine seized , the drug sees 415 00:16:26,444 --> 00:16:28,611 represent almost $2 billion in profits 416 00:16:28,611 --> 00:16:30,760 denied to these cartels and an untold 417 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:32,593 number of American lives saved . 418 00:16:33,030 --> 00:16:35,086 Numerous traffickers responsible for 419 00:16:35,086 --> 00:16:36,974 these loads of drugs will be held 420 00:16:36,974 --> 00:16:39,086 accountable and United States federal 421 00:16:39,086 --> 00:16:41,141 district courts . Since the start of 422 00:16:41,141 --> 00:16:43,252 the surge , the Department of Justice 423 00:16:43,252 --> 00:16:45,252 has charged more than 60 defendants 424 00:16:45,252 --> 00:16:47,474 further role in trafficking these drugs 425 00:16:47,474 --> 00:16:49,641 into the United States . This is truly 426 00:16:49,641 --> 00:16:49,270 a whole of government effort . And when 427 00:16:49,270 --> 00:16:51,270 we're proud to be a part of working 428 00:16:51,270 --> 00:16:53,326 together , we can and will interdict 429 00:16:53,326 --> 00:16:55,381 these deadly drugs before they reach 430 00:16:55,381 --> 00:16:57,603 our country and destroy the cartels who 431 00:16:57,603 --> 00:16:59,770 are responsible . Thank you , Amanda . 432 00:16:59,770 --> 00:17:02,048 Great job you're doing . Appreciate it . 433 00:17:02,048 --> 00:17:03,937 Thank you . Federal police . This 434 00:17:03,937 --> 00:17:05,937 president knots an honor to be here 435 00:17:05,937 --> 00:17:08,103 with you , and it's honored me back in 436 00:17:08,103 --> 00:17:07,560 South . Come . I had the privilege of 437 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:09,782 serving . This is a great team . Highly 438 00:17:09,782 --> 00:17:11,949 professional , doing tremendous things 439 00:17:11,949 --> 00:17:14,060 in the region . Sir . Teoh , DHS team 440 00:17:14,060 --> 00:17:16,282 Just starting your Coast Guard has been 441 00:17:16,282 --> 00:17:18,338 in this game with our DHS partners , 442 00:17:18,338 --> 00:17:20,116 CBP , Air Marine , the Homeland 443 00:17:20,116 --> 00:17:22,282 Security Investigations Office . We've 444 00:17:22,282 --> 00:17:24,338 been involved about £1.8 million of 445 00:17:24,338 --> 00:17:26,338 cocaine eradicated here in the last 446 00:17:26,338 --> 00:17:26,150 four years . This surge here with the 447 00:17:26,150 --> 00:17:28,483 support of the SEC def and your support , 448 00:17:28,483 --> 00:17:30,428 the South com teams there has been 449 00:17:30,428 --> 00:17:32,483 successful . We integrate in a joint 450 00:17:32,483 --> 00:17:34,483 environment remarkably well . We've 451 00:17:34,483 --> 00:17:36,594 heard the numbers , so I won't repeat 452 00:17:36,594 --> 00:17:38,539 them . But these air transnational 453 00:17:38,539 --> 00:17:37,750 criminal , sir and these are very 454 00:17:37,750 --> 00:17:39,806 sophisticated groups . Craig mention 455 00:17:39,806 --> 00:17:41,870 it's a $90 billion you know , annual 456 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:44,267 industry that we're disrupting here so 457 00:17:44,267 --> 00:17:46,489 I'm very excited about being here . The 458 00:17:46,489 --> 00:17:48,711 Coast Guard has committed Teoh doubling 459 00:17:48,711 --> 00:17:50,822 down our efforts here through the end 460 00:17:50,822 --> 00:17:50,040 of the calendar year . We take some 461 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:51,929 risk , other places , but this is 462 00:17:51,929 --> 00:17:53,707 righteous . Work the numbers on 463 00:17:53,707 --> 00:17:55,929 American streets . It's something north 464 00:17:55,929 --> 00:17:57,929 of 70,000 . Role in the overdose is 465 00:17:57,929 --> 00:18:00,207 your role in the drug related violence . 466 00:18:00,207 --> 00:17:59,610 You look at the corruption in the 467 00:17:59,610 --> 00:18:01,721 region , sir . This is important work 468 00:18:01,721 --> 00:18:03,888 for the nation . So thank you for your 469 00:18:03,888 --> 00:18:06,166 support and beer . Thank you very much . 470 00:18:06,166 --> 00:18:08,388 Appreciate it that she had wolf . Maybe 471 00:18:08,388 --> 00:18:10,554 you could also mention what's going on 472 00:18:10,554 --> 00:18:12,666 in Portland because we said you there 473 00:18:12,666 --> 00:18:14,832 recently . It was out of control . The 474 00:18:14,832 --> 00:18:16,832 locals couldn't handle it . And you 475 00:18:16,832 --> 00:18:18,943 people are handling it very nicely so 476 00:18:18,943 --> 00:18:21,054 nicely that the press doesn't want to 477 00:18:21,054 --> 00:18:20,730 write about it . But why don't you tell 478 00:18:20,730 --> 00:18:22,897 them what you're doing in Portland and 479 00:18:22,897 --> 00:18:24,897 also go into this , please ? Well , 480 00:18:24,897 --> 00:18:27,119 thank you , Mr President . I think what 481 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:28,952 we see in Portland eyes really a 482 00:18:28,952 --> 00:18:31,063 smaller example of what we see around 483 00:18:31,063 --> 00:18:33,286 the country regarding some of the civil 484 00:18:33,286 --> 00:18:34,952 unrest and the attacks on law 485 00:18:34,952 --> 00:18:37,174 enforcement . What you find in Portland 486 00:18:37,174 --> 00:18:39,286 about 5.5 weeks of continued violence 487 00:18:39,286 --> 00:18:41,341 against a federal courthouse there . 488 00:18:41,341 --> 00:18:41,330 The Department of Homeland Security 489 00:18:41,340 --> 00:18:43,150 protects . We've had to send an 490 00:18:43,150 --> 00:18:45,094 additional individuals were making 491 00:18:45,094 --> 00:18:47,440 arrests . But there has been violence . 492 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,496 There's been assaults on federal law 493 00:18:49,496 --> 00:18:51,730 enforcement officers on it really just 494 00:18:51,730 --> 00:18:53,841 shouldn't occur . We should have more 495 00:18:53,841 --> 00:18:56,063 support of the local police there . But 496 00:18:56,063 --> 00:18:58,008 again , the Department of Homeland 497 00:18:58,008 --> 00:19:00,230 Security , along with the DOJ , FBI and 498 00:19:00,230 --> 00:19:02,286 others , are surging . Resource is , 499 00:19:02,286 --> 00:19:01,880 and we're starting to make a difference 500 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,170 there . How many of you arrested ? I 501 00:19:04,170 --> 00:19:06,392 believe it's been close to a dozen thus 502 00:19:06,392 --> 00:19:09,020 far on DOJ is charged almost as many as 503 00:19:09,020 --> 00:19:11,187 well , and I know you have a very good 504 00:19:11,187 --> 00:19:13,530 control , but it's a It's a pretty wild 505 00:19:13,540 --> 00:19:15,596 group , but you haven't in very good 506 00:19:15,596 --> 00:19:17,707 control , so we appreciate it . Local 507 00:19:17,707 --> 00:19:19,929 law enforcement has been told not to do 508 00:19:19,929 --> 00:19:21,780 too much . It's not the way it's 509 00:19:21,780 --> 00:19:24,080 supposed to be , but that's okay . Good 510 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,247 job . You've really done a great job . 511 00:19:26,247 --> 00:19:28,413 You go ahead well for decades . Let me 512 00:19:28,413 --> 00:19:30,691 just build on what the commandant said . 513 00:19:30,691 --> 00:19:32,802 For decades , counter drug operations 514 00:19:32,802 --> 00:19:34,858 have really been at the core of both 515 00:19:34,858 --> 00:19:34,220 the Coast Guard and the Department of 516 00:19:34,220 --> 00:19:36,164 Homeland Security's mission . Year 517 00:19:36,164 --> 00:19:38,276 after year , the Coast Guard step has 518 00:19:38,276 --> 00:19:40,387 stood watch both in the Caribbean and 519 00:19:40,387 --> 00:19:42,331 the Eastern Pacific . So with this 520 00:19:42,331 --> 00:19:44,331 operation , Mr President , you have 521 00:19:44,331 --> 00:19:46,276 recognized the threat that illicit 522 00:19:46,276 --> 00:19:48,276 narcotics play in harming America . 523 00:19:48,276 --> 00:19:50,276 While previous administrations have 524 00:19:50,276 --> 00:19:52,276 admired the problem , you're taking 525 00:19:52,276 --> 00:19:54,442 concrete actions with this operation . 526 00:19:54,442 --> 00:19:56,498 This effort is bringing the power of 527 00:19:56,498 --> 00:19:58,609 the United States military along with 528 00:19:58,609 --> 00:19:58,590 the department to bear on . This 529 00:19:58,590 --> 00:20:00,812 problem on we're having success is that 530 00:20:00,812 --> 00:20:02,923 we've we've talked about . What we've 531 00:20:02,923 --> 00:20:05,146 seen is the partnership again . DHS not 532 00:20:05,146 --> 00:20:07,920 only the Coast Guard . CBP air assets 533 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:10,790 are flying constantly in the region as 534 00:20:10,790 --> 00:20:12,568 well . And we have ice homeland 535 00:20:12,568 --> 00:20:14,679 security investigations helping DOJ . 536 00:20:14,679 --> 00:20:17,250 As we heard prosecute . We are one team 537 00:20:17,260 --> 00:20:19,316 accomplished on a shared objective , 538 00:20:19,316 --> 00:20:21,482 and that's keeping the American people 539 00:20:21,482 --> 00:20:23,482 safe . At the end of the day , this 540 00:20:23,482 --> 00:20:23,420 president would say the men and women 541 00:20:23,420 --> 00:20:25,587 of the Coast Guard are unrivalled when 542 00:20:25,587 --> 00:20:27,920 it comes to see based drug interdiction . 543 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:29,809 While it takes a whole government 544 00:20:29,809 --> 00:20:31,920 approach from collecting intelligence 545 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,142 to identifying targets is the brave men 546 00:20:34,142 --> 00:20:36,253 and women of the Coast Guard continue 547 00:20:36,253 --> 00:20:38,087 to be at the tip of the spear on 548 00:20:38,087 --> 00:20:40,253 whether it's from a coast guard cutter 549 00:20:40,253 --> 00:20:42,309 or a Navy ship Coast Guardsman every 550 00:20:42,309 --> 00:20:44,142 day , or directly engaging narco 551 00:20:44,142 --> 00:20:46,364 traffickers and taking them down . So I 552 00:20:46,364 --> 00:20:45,780 wanted to make sure that you were 553 00:20:46,140 --> 00:20:48,362 absolutely clear on that front . And we 554 00:20:48,370 --> 00:20:50,426 certainly value the partnership that 555 00:20:50,426 --> 00:20:52,710 we're getting from D o d South com on 556 00:20:52,710 --> 00:20:54,654 others . And what we heard also is 557 00:20:54,654 --> 00:20:56,710 really at your direction . We're not 558 00:20:56,710 --> 00:20:58,710 only seen targets at drug cartels , 559 00:20:58,710 --> 00:21:00,821 we're also seeing rogue nation states 560 00:21:00,821 --> 00:21:02,988 and politicians that support them . We 561 00:21:02,988 --> 00:21:05,154 talked about departments of justice is 562 00:21:05,154 --> 00:21:07,377 recent indictment of Nicolas Maduro and 563 00:21:07,377 --> 00:21:09,432 14 of his cronies that proved to the 564 00:21:09,432 --> 00:21:11,488 world that everyone involved in drug 565 00:21:11,488 --> 00:21:13,654 smuggling will be held accountable . I 566 00:21:13,654 --> 00:21:15,877 really think that that since an example 567 00:21:15,877 --> 00:21:18,043 to all that , whether again , you're a 568 00:21:18,043 --> 00:21:20,210 drug cartel , your GTO or your a rogue 569 00:21:20,210 --> 00:21:22,432 nation state , we're coming after you . 570 00:21:22,432 --> 00:21:24,543 So again , thank you for your support 571 00:21:24,543 --> 00:21:26,543 of room . And I think actions speak 572 00:21:26,543 --> 00:21:26,230 louder than words in this case . Thank 573 00:21:26,230 --> 00:21:28,230 you , Chad . And , uh , the wall is 574 00:21:28,230 --> 00:21:30,063 coming along very well . Chad is 575 00:21:30,063 --> 00:21:32,070 responsible for supervising that , 576 00:21:32,070 --> 00:21:34,070 along with the Army Corps of the of 577 00:21:34,070 --> 00:21:36,440 Engineers who have been fantastic and 578 00:21:36,450 --> 00:21:38,617 Mark Esper . That's been really one of 579 00:21:38,617 --> 00:21:40,728 your pet projects and it's been going 580 00:21:40,728 --> 00:21:43,080 along with up to 250 miles . And that's 581 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,191 really wall . That's , Ah , wall that 582 00:21:45,191 --> 00:21:47,210 you don't get through . It's tough 583 00:21:47,210 --> 00:21:49,790 stuff and built to the highest standard 584 00:21:50,020 --> 00:21:52,350 built to everything that Border Patrol 585 00:21:52,350 --> 00:21:54,350 wanted . They all sat down and they 586 00:21:54,350 --> 00:21:56,517 designed their perfect wall . And then 587 00:21:56,517 --> 00:21:58,628 we said , Let's build it that way and 588 00:21:58,628 --> 00:22:00,850 we're up to 250 miles by the end of the 589 00:22:00,850 --> 00:22:03,740 year will be upto 4 50 or so and we'll 590 00:22:03,740 --> 00:22:05,407 have it finished very shortly 591 00:22:05,407 --> 00:22:07,629 thereafter . And it's made a tremendous 592 00:22:07,629 --> 00:22:09,796 difference because your numbers on the 593 00:22:09,796 --> 00:22:11,907 southern border are very , very small 594 00:22:11,907 --> 00:22:14,240 coming through and especially with Cove , 595 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,462 it that turned out to be very lucky for 596 00:22:16,462 --> 00:22:18,462 us that we had the wall or we would 597 00:22:18,462 --> 00:22:20,462 have been inundated because they do 598 00:22:20,462 --> 00:22:22,629 have some big problems . That was with 599 00:22:22,629 --> 00:22:24,684 a great gentleman . The president of 600 00:22:24,684 --> 00:22:26,684 Mexico Two days ago , we had a long 601 00:22:26,684 --> 00:22:28,629 talk about the Southern border and 602 00:22:28,629 --> 00:22:30,296 Mexico , and they've had some 603 00:22:30,296 --> 00:22:32,518 difficulty , but he's doing a fantastic 604 00:22:32,518 --> 00:22:34,740 job as president . But the wall is very 605 00:22:34,740 --> 00:22:34,670 exciting and we'll have that opened , 606 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,300 uh , relatively various , very shortly 607 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:40,142 and that was despite all odds . I would 608 00:22:40,142 --> 00:22:42,364 say , Mark , when you say I was despite 609 00:22:42,364 --> 00:22:44,587 all our we had a certain party that was 610 00:22:44,587 --> 00:22:46,587 against it . They're not against it 611 00:22:46,587 --> 00:22:48,753 anymore . You know , in the end , they 612 00:22:48,753 --> 00:22:50,698 just raised the and they said , We 613 00:22:50,698 --> 00:22:50,600 don't want to take this son because 614 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:53,440 politically , it turned out to be a za 615 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,662 good as we always knew . You know , two 616 00:22:55,662 --> 00:22:57,829 things never change walls and wheels . 617 00:22:57,829 --> 00:22:59,884 Wheel will never change . You know , 618 00:22:59,884 --> 00:23:01,940 they were talking about technology . 619 00:23:01,940 --> 00:23:04,218 Technology is no good without the wall . 620 00:23:04,218 --> 00:23:06,384 And But it's something that I've heard 621 00:23:06,384 --> 00:23:08,329 for a long time to things you will 622 00:23:08,329 --> 00:23:10,551 never change in 1000 years from now , a 623 00:23:10,551 --> 00:23:12,840 wheel and a wall they work in this 624 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:15,280 world has really been unbelievable the 625 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:17,320 way it's worked . So great job and 626 00:23:17,330 --> 00:23:18,997 let's get it finished . And a 627 00:23:19,330 --> 00:23:21,274 tremendous numbers on the southern 628 00:23:21,274 --> 00:23:23,219 border . Very few people coming in 629 00:23:23,219 --> 00:23:25,274 appreciate it . And we made a lot of 630 00:23:25,274 --> 00:23:27,441 legal changes to makes it a lot easier 631 00:23:27,441 --> 00:23:29,163 for you . Robert , Please , Mr 632 00:23:29,163 --> 00:23:31,330 President . Thank you . Uh , I want to 633 00:23:31,330 --> 00:23:33,441 take folks back to April 1st . Is the 634 00:23:33,441 --> 00:23:35,441 covert crisis was breaking on . All 635 00:23:35,441 --> 00:23:37,330 attention was focused on it . The 636 00:23:37,330 --> 00:23:39,219 president had the foresight , tow 637 00:23:39,219 --> 00:23:41,440 launch enhanced operations has dropped 638 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:43,329 the flow of dangerous drugs . The 639 00:23:43,329 --> 00:23:45,384 United States from narco terrorist . 640 00:23:45,384 --> 00:23:47,273 Our adversaries believed that the 641 00:23:47,273 --> 00:23:49,607 United States would be distracted . But , 642 00:23:49,607 --> 00:23:49,500 Mr President , you weren't distracted . 643 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:51,278 I think you remember . You sent 644 00:23:51,278 --> 00:23:53,500 Secretary Wolf an animal soul Secretary 645 00:23:53,500 --> 00:23:55,667 Casper , Attorney General , who are me 646 00:23:55,667 --> 00:23:57,722 out to make the announcement on this 647 00:23:57,722 --> 00:24:00,220 operation ? The traffickers use their 648 00:24:00,220 --> 00:24:03,020 funds for nefarious purposes among them 649 00:24:03,020 --> 00:24:05,440 to finance the regime of Nicolas Maduro , 650 00:24:05,450 --> 00:24:07,850 the illegitimate regime in Venezuela . 651 00:24:08,290 --> 00:24:10,401 And for years , Venezuela has flooded 652 00:24:10,401 --> 00:24:12,234 the United States with cocaine , 653 00:24:12,234 --> 00:24:14,401 poisons our communities , and it feels 654 00:24:14,401 --> 00:24:16,457 dangerous epidemic of addiction that 655 00:24:16,457 --> 00:24:18,512 threatens the safety and security of 656 00:24:18,512 --> 00:24:20,390 all Americans . The situation in 657 00:24:20,390 --> 00:24:22,223 Venezuela has gotten so bad that 658 00:24:22,223 --> 00:24:24,168 earlier this week , Admiral Fuller 659 00:24:24,168 --> 00:24:26,600 Fowler called the Venezuela a paradise 660 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:28,656 for drug traffickers who enjoyed the 661 00:24:28,656 --> 00:24:30,767 support and cooperation of the Maduro 662 00:24:30,767 --> 00:24:33,980 regime and his allies that a crackdown 663 00:24:33,990 --> 00:24:36,830 on the traffickers President Trump , 664 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:38,840 appoint additional ships , aircraft 665 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:41,173 security forces that you've heard about . 666 00:24:41,173 --> 00:24:43,396 But the other thing that he did , which 667 00:24:43,396 --> 00:24:45,618 is less focused on is he rallied Are 22 668 00:24:45,618 --> 00:24:47,840 nation coalition partnership to help in 669 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:49,896 this effort to interdict drugs . Eso 670 00:24:49,896 --> 00:24:51,896 That fight includes as you've heard 671 00:24:51,896 --> 00:24:53,840 Colombia , Ecuador , Honduras , El 672 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:56,007 Salvador . On the flight down from Air 673 00:24:56,007 --> 00:24:58,229 Force One . This president , I told you 674 00:24:58,229 --> 00:25:00,396 I was on the phone with my counterpart 675 00:25:00,396 --> 00:24:59,770 in the Netherlands , the Dutch national 676 00:24:59,770 --> 00:25:01,992 security adviser . They've been part of 677 00:25:01,992 --> 00:25:03,937 this coalition fight , and they're 678 00:25:03,937 --> 00:25:06,048 they're very proud to be partnered up 679 00:25:06,048 --> 00:25:08,103 with Customs and Border Patrol D A . 680 00:25:08,103 --> 00:25:10,159 The Coast Guard our military work in 681 00:25:10,159 --> 00:25:12,660 the Caribbean in the Eastern Pacific , 682 00:25:13,130 --> 00:25:15,297 where they had where we all had a huge 683 00:25:15,297 --> 00:25:18,420 effect . In addition to this operation , 684 00:25:18,750 --> 00:25:21,090 the Colombian led operational Ryan five , 685 00:25:21,090 --> 00:25:23,312 in partnership with the United States , 686 00:25:23,312 --> 00:25:25,479 has disrupted or sees approximately 50 687 00:25:25,479 --> 00:25:27,700 additional metric tons of cocaine that 688 00:25:27,700 --> 00:25:29,644 would have otherwise come into our 689 00:25:29,644 --> 00:25:31,756 country . Mr President . So President 690 00:25:31,756 --> 00:25:33,478 Trump has been resolute in his 691 00:25:33,478 --> 00:25:35,589 commitment to protecting the American 692 00:25:35,589 --> 00:25:37,422 people from the scourge of narco 693 00:25:37,422 --> 00:25:39,200 terrorist and traffickers . Our 694 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:41,256 military deployments , the Caribbean 695 00:25:41,256 --> 00:25:43,422 and in the Eastern Pacific will endure 696 00:25:43,422 --> 00:25:45,478 those profiting from illicit drugs , 697 00:25:45,478 --> 00:25:45,400 and the destruction of our communities 698 00:25:45,590 --> 00:25:48,210 will be brought to justice . The United 699 00:25:48,210 --> 00:25:50,043 States will continue its maximum 700 00:25:50,043 --> 00:25:52,043 pressure campaign the Maduro regime 701 00:25:52,043 --> 00:25:53,766 which has a criminal hold over 702 00:25:53,766 --> 00:25:55,988 Venezuela on and I can tell for the for 703 00:25:55,988 --> 00:25:58,043 the Venezuelan people . When I speak 704 00:25:58,043 --> 00:25:59,932 with President Trump , he asked . 705 00:25:59,932 --> 00:26:02,154 Almost every day . How are things going 706 00:26:02,154 --> 00:26:02,140 in Venezuela ? What can we do to help 707 00:26:02,140 --> 00:26:04,430 the Venezuelan people ? This operation 708 00:26:04,430 --> 00:26:06,597 is part of that effort . Venezuela's a 709 00:26:06,597 --> 00:26:08,930 narco state led by a corrupt , criminal , 710 00:26:08,930 --> 00:26:11,152 illegitimate regime , and the people of 711 00:26:11,152 --> 00:26:13,041 Venezuela is suffering because of 712 00:26:13,041 --> 00:26:15,041 Maduro . Mr President , you've been 713 00:26:15,041 --> 00:26:17,208 committed to cutting off his financial 714 00:26:17,208 --> 00:26:18,986 lifelines , identifying ways to 715 00:26:18,986 --> 00:26:20,930 continue to support the Venezuelan 716 00:26:20,930 --> 00:26:23,041 people and ensure the unfettered flow 717 00:26:23,041 --> 00:26:24,930 of humanitarian aid to those same 718 00:26:24,930 --> 00:26:26,874 people that are suffering . So for 719 00:26:26,874 --> 00:26:28,930 those of you in Venezuela like and I 720 00:26:28,930 --> 00:26:31,041 can let you know that President Trump 721 00:26:31,041 --> 00:26:33,263 continues to stand with you , he stands 722 00:26:33,263 --> 00:26:35,374 with interim President Guido with the 723 00:26:35,374 --> 00:26:34,840 democratically elected National 724 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:37,290 Assembly on all the people that are 725 00:26:37,290 --> 00:26:39,346 fighting for their freedom and their 726 00:26:39,346 --> 00:26:41,568 basic human rights and a restoration of 727 00:26:41,568 --> 00:26:43,401 democracy and the rule of law in 728 00:26:43,401 --> 00:26:45,401 Venezuela . President Trump's fight 729 00:26:45,401 --> 00:26:47,568 against drugs and narco trafficking in 730 00:26:47,568 --> 00:26:49,401 the Caribbean and in the Eastern 731 00:26:49,401 --> 00:26:51,568 Pacific are good for the United States 732 00:26:51,568 --> 00:26:53,457 of America . They're good for the 733 00:26:53,457 --> 00:26:53,140 people of the region , including 734 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,251 Venezuela , but they're also good for 735 00:26:55,251 --> 00:26:57,418 the entire world . So , Mr President , 736 00:26:57,418 --> 00:26:59,640 it's an honor to serve with the in this 737 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:01,862 in this effort . Thank you for all that 738 00:27:01,862 --> 00:27:01,390 you're doing , sir . Thank you very 739 00:27:01,390 --> 00:27:03,334 much . Robert and James , please . 740 00:27:03,780 --> 00:27:05,947 President Trump as your principal drug 741 00:27:05,947 --> 00:27:08,169 adviser . Thank you for your commitment 742 00:27:08,169 --> 00:27:10,391 and your leadership on the drug issue . 743 00:27:10,470 --> 00:27:12,692 I echo your thanks to the men and women 744 00:27:12,692 --> 00:27:15,050 who wear a uniform , whether it's the 745 00:27:15,050 --> 00:27:17,217 military or whether it's our state and 746 00:27:17,217 --> 00:27:19,410 local law enforcement partners who are 747 00:27:19,410 --> 00:27:21,243 stopping these deadly drugs from 748 00:27:21,243 --> 00:27:23,299 entering our country and thus saving 749 00:27:23,299 --> 00:27:25,310 American lives . You laid out a 750 00:27:25,310 --> 00:27:27,500 comprehensive strategy to prevent drug 751 00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:29,850 use before it starts to get more people 752 00:27:29,850 --> 00:27:32,130 into treatment . And importantly is 753 00:27:32,130 --> 00:27:34,352 we're talking about today to stop these 754 00:27:34,352 --> 00:27:36,910 drugs from coming into our homeland at 755 00:27:36,910 --> 00:27:38,966 your direction . We've implemented a 756 00:27:38,966 --> 00:27:41,132 whole government approach , We've made 757 00:27:41,132 --> 00:27:43,132 record investments and we're taking 758 00:27:43,132 --> 00:27:45,077 real action , which meant you have 759 00:27:45,077 --> 00:27:47,077 received and more importantly , the 760 00:27:47,077 --> 00:27:49,021 American people have received real 761 00:27:49,021 --> 00:27:51,580 progress . We must recognize these drug 762 00:27:51,580 --> 00:27:53,802 cartels are trying to take advantage of 763 00:27:53,802 --> 00:27:56,270 the pandemic . And you are not letting 764 00:27:56,270 --> 00:27:58,381 that happen . You were making certain 765 00:27:58,690 --> 00:28:01,290 that those people who are suffering and 766 00:28:01,300 --> 00:28:04,800 risk death are making sure that we're 767 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:06,940 taking the steps necessary to protect 768 00:28:06,950 --> 00:28:09,410 them . That's why your leadership in 769 00:28:09,420 --> 00:28:12,200 this step is so important . You're 770 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,320 sending a clear message that this 771 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:16,580 administration that this country will 772 00:28:16,580 --> 00:28:18,636 not let up in our fight against drug 773 00:28:18,636 --> 00:28:20,636 traffickers , your during it , also 774 00:28:20,636 --> 00:28:22,858 with our international partners for the 775 00:28:22,858 --> 00:28:25,410 first time . Columbia . I recognize the 776 00:28:25,410 --> 00:28:27,440 work done there . They eradicated 777 00:28:27,450 --> 00:28:30,850 13,000 Hector's of cocaine in one month 778 00:28:30,910 --> 00:28:33,132 last month in June , and that is before 779 00:28:33,132 --> 00:28:35,299 they begin the aerial eradication that 780 00:28:35,299 --> 00:28:37,680 we have talked about so often . We 781 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:39,847 cannot let these drug traffickers take 782 00:28:39,847 --> 00:28:41,902 advantage , especially these cocaine 783 00:28:41,902 --> 00:28:44,069 traffickers that are coming up through 784 00:28:44,069 --> 00:28:46,720 this ao are the surge operations are 785 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:49,053 effective and they're going to continue . 786 00:28:49,190 --> 00:28:51,246 And we're going to take the fight to 787 00:28:51,246 --> 00:28:53,610 these drug traffickers you have 788 00:28:53,620 --> 00:28:55,970 relentlessly committed to the American 789 00:28:55,970 --> 00:28:59,110 people by making investments of $36 790 00:28:59,110 --> 00:29:01,840 billion for both the military fight our 791 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,170 law enforcement fight as well as 792 00:29:04,180 --> 00:29:06,236 treatment . And , of course , one of 793 00:29:06,236 --> 00:29:08,236 the signature programs of the First 794 00:29:08,236 --> 00:29:10,458 lady , something that's really been led 795 00:29:10,458 --> 00:29:12,624 by Kellyanne Conway of speaking to the 796 00:29:12,624 --> 00:29:14,680 American people about the dangers of 797 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:16,902 drug use . The media campaigns that she 798 00:29:16,902 --> 00:29:18,791 and the first lady have done have 799 00:29:18,791 --> 00:29:20,791 really made a huge difference . And 800 00:29:20,791 --> 00:29:22,791 what has happened . And so I'm very 801 00:29:22,791 --> 00:29:25,069 appreciative to be a colleague of hers . 802 00:29:25,069 --> 00:29:26,958 We rely on Adama Faller , Admiral 803 00:29:26,958 --> 00:29:29,460 Schultz , Admiral Fears and Master 804 00:29:29,460 --> 00:29:31,627 Chief Audette as the ones who were out 805 00:29:31,627 --> 00:29:33,738 there actually taking the risk taking 806 00:29:33,738 --> 00:29:35,850 the dangers for the American people . 807 00:29:36,340 --> 00:29:38,507 We appreciate what you all are doing , 808 00:29:38,507 --> 00:29:40,618 and we urge you to convince you to be 809 00:29:40,618 --> 00:29:42,840 relentless . Thank you . Thank you very 810 00:29:42,840 --> 00:29:44,896 much in Douglas and Henry , if you'd 811 00:29:44,896 --> 00:29:46,840 like to say something , go ahead . 812 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:48,840 Would you like to start ? Good . Mr 813 00:29:48,840 --> 00:29:51,118 President , appreciate the opportunity . 814 00:29:51,118 --> 00:29:53,229 I'm probably serving a giant of South 815 00:29:53,229 --> 00:29:55,340 and I'll tell you , Ah , work or work 816 00:29:55,340 --> 00:29:57,507 towards a static about the assets that 817 00:29:57,507 --> 00:29:59,673 are coming down into our theater . Our 818 00:29:59,673 --> 00:30:01,562 morale is very high . Good work , 819 00:30:01,640 --> 00:30:05,370 working relentlessly to make sure that 820 00:30:05,380 --> 00:30:07,491 we are building our immune system and 821 00:30:07,491 --> 00:30:09,547 keeping a good so we can work you on 822 00:30:09,547 --> 00:30:11,602 this covert crisis . They're doing a 823 00:30:11,602 --> 00:30:13,658 great sacrifice to their families at 824 00:30:13,658 --> 00:30:15,658 times , but they do it because they 825 00:30:15,658 --> 00:30:17,991 believe in the mission that we're doing . 826 00:30:17,991 --> 00:30:20,158 And we want to stop transnational . So 827 00:30:20,158 --> 00:30:22,269 we're working on your immune system . 828 00:30:22,269 --> 00:30:24,269 That's an interesting one . Not too 829 00:30:24,269 --> 00:30:23,890 many people have heard that one . I 830 00:30:23,890 --> 00:30:25,890 like that ? What do you do for your 831 00:30:25,890 --> 00:30:29,890 immune system ? Stay in shape . That's 832 00:30:29,890 --> 00:30:33,020 good . I'm gonna have to start doing 833 00:30:33,020 --> 00:30:34,964 that . I think that's a good thing 834 00:30:36,060 --> 00:30:38,900 we're doing . That's great . That's 835 00:30:38,900 --> 00:30:41,970 great . Lastly , our men and women 836 00:30:42,250 --> 00:30:44,750 really appreciated 3.1% raging gave us 837 00:30:44,750 --> 00:30:46,780 this year . Means a lot of men and 838 00:30:46,790 --> 00:30:49,470 women who work are going harm's way 839 00:30:49,570 --> 00:30:51,737 across the globe . Thank you so much . 840 00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:53,673 Well , thank you and marry you . 841 00:30:53,673 --> 00:30:55,618 Obviously had a good immune system 842 00:30:55,618 --> 00:30:57,840 because you recovered wasn't pleasant . 843 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:00,062 But you you got there , right ? I don't 844 00:31:00,062 --> 00:31:02,118 recommend that it's a dietary . No , 845 00:31:02,118 --> 00:31:04,396 it's not good . But you did a good job . 846 00:31:04,396 --> 00:31:06,396 And by the way , thank you for your 847 00:31:06,396 --> 00:31:08,396 kind , multiple calls . While I was 848 00:31:08,396 --> 00:31:08,080 absolutely where you've been , my 849 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,380 friend . Thank you very much . Please , 850 00:31:10,710 --> 00:31:12,932 sir . Thank you for coming down today . 851 00:31:12,932 --> 00:31:15,140 Is your tactical commander down on the 852 00:31:15,150 --> 00:31:17,630 edge of this operation ? I've been in 853 00:31:17,630 --> 00:31:19,797 this mission space for over 30 years . 854 00:31:19,797 --> 00:31:22,019 I've never seen this many . Resource is 855 00:31:22,019 --> 00:31:24,300 applied to to the problem . Said the 856 00:31:24,300 --> 00:31:26,522 transnational criminal organizations in 857 00:31:26,522 --> 00:31:30,030 counternarcotics operations so way have 858 00:31:30,030 --> 00:31:32,710 under our roof 21 different countries 859 00:31:32,710 --> 00:31:34,820 represented by their foreign liaison 860 00:31:34,820 --> 00:31:37,620 officers . They work that come to work 861 00:31:37,620 --> 00:31:39,564 every day trying to lean into this 862 00:31:39,564 --> 00:31:41,564 problem set . We've got ah whole of 863 00:31:41,564 --> 00:31:43,731 government from the U . S . Government 864 00:31:43,731 --> 00:31:46,150 with a completely joint force from all 865 00:31:46,150 --> 00:31:48,220 the branch of the service as well as 866 00:31:48,220 --> 00:31:50,350 all of our interagency partners from 867 00:31:50,350 --> 00:31:52,406 all the departments and agencies and 868 00:31:52,406 --> 00:31:54,572 beyond what's represented in this room 869 00:31:54,572 --> 00:31:56,572 on . So we're just grateful for the 870 00:31:56,572 --> 00:31:58,739 opportunity to lean into the problem . 871 00:31:58,739 --> 00:32:01,850 And I can tell you with surety that 872 00:32:01,860 --> 00:32:04,027 were targeting and we're getting after 873 00:32:04,027 --> 00:32:06,082 this every single day . So thank you 874 00:32:06,082 --> 00:32:08,138 for your time , sir . Thank you very 875 00:32:08,138 --> 00:32:10,360 much . I appreciate it that Listen , we 876 00:32:10,360 --> 00:32:12,582 have the best equipment that we've ever 877 00:32:12,582 --> 00:32:14,471 had as a military . We spent $2.5 878 00:32:14,471 --> 00:32:16,527 trillion on our military and some of 879 00:32:16,527 --> 00:32:18,693 its arriving , some of its coming in , 880 00:32:18,693 --> 00:32:21,130 but much of its here . So when you say 881 00:32:21,140 --> 00:32:22,807 the quality of equipment , we 882 00:32:22,807 --> 00:32:24,751 definitely have the best equipment 883 00:32:24,751 --> 00:32:26,918 we've had . We have the best equipment 884 00:32:26,918 --> 00:32:28,862 anyone has as a military . We have 885 00:32:28,862 --> 00:32:31,150 things under construction that we're 886 00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:33,206 going to take a look at one day soon 887 00:32:33,206 --> 00:32:35,372 where we have missiles that go here 17 888 00:32:35,372 --> 00:32:38,820 times faster than any other missile and 889 00:32:38,830 --> 00:32:41,070 the normal type at least . And 890 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:43,191 something that nobody has anywhere in 891 00:32:43,191 --> 00:32:45,540 the world 17 times faster . So it's a 892 00:32:45,540 --> 00:32:47,540 little hard to spot it when it goes 893 00:32:47,540 --> 00:32:49,540 that fast , because by the time you 894 00:32:49,540 --> 00:32:51,429 spotted , it's gone . But we have 895 00:32:51,429 --> 00:32:53,760 things happening that nobody has even 896 00:32:53,760 --> 00:32:56,038 thought about . So thank you very much . 897 00:32:56,038 --> 00:32:58,204 You've done a fantastic job . You have 898 00:32:58,204 --> 00:33:00,316 all done a really fantastic job , and 899 00:33:00,316 --> 00:33:02,371 it's an honor to be here . I want to 900 00:33:02,371 --> 00:33:04,649 thank all of the folks behind me , too . 901 00:33:04,649 --> 00:33:06,871 I don't want to be moved because you're 902 00:33:06,871 --> 00:33:09,038 more important than all of us . I want 903 00:33:09,038 --> 00:33:11,316 to thank you all very much . Great job . 904 00:33:11,316 --> 00:33:13,538 Really great . Great to work with you . 905 00:33:13,538 --> 00:33:15,871 You're and sale of Tell him to get well , 906 00:33:15,871 --> 00:33:18,038 fast . Right late , man . Okay . Thank 907 00:33:18,038 --> 00:33:20,140 you very much . Okay . Thank you , 908 00:33:20,310 --> 00:33:24,200 Admiral . It's yours , Mr 909 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,367 President . Thank you for the time and 910 00:33:26,367 --> 00:33:28,589 the attention . And the resource is and 911 00:33:28,589 --> 00:33:30,700 we're going to stay at this mission . 912 00:33:30,700 --> 00:33:32,922 It's a it's a 24 7 and we're gonna take 913 00:33:32,922 --> 00:33:35,150 the fight to the enemy leadership . 914 00:33:35,150 --> 00:33:37,206 Here's committed the American people 915 00:33:37,206 --> 00:33:40,260 that we Oto are for the future 916 00:33:41,110 --> 00:33:43,166 and , uh , thank you . You've done a 917 00:33:43,166 --> 00:33:45,388 great job . Thank you very much . Thank 918 00:33:45,388 --> 00:33:47,950 you , Admiral . Thank you . Thank you .