A Republican congressional candidate in Florida who openly embraces President Donald Trump’s agenda is calling for a Democratic ex-president to be deported.
In a 30-second video, Belinda Kesier promoted her candidacy for Florida’s 22nd congressional district by arguing that she would not only deport undocumented immigrants, but also aim to deport the Democrat she blames for America’s supposed immigration problem, former President Joe Biden.
“I’m Belinda Keiser, and I approve this message because we should deport Joe Biden for what he did,” Keiser proclaimed at the end of the ad, one of many she has run in her bid to claim that seat. Earlier in the same video a narrator vowed that Keiser would “stand with President Trump” and that her goal would be “to deport illegals, to protect American families and American jobs.”
Keiser has been endorsed by a number of Florida politicians who are also leading figures in MAGA world. These include Reps. Aaron Bean, Jimmy Patronis, Neal Dunn and Randy Fine.
Dunn, who is leaving office after his current term, said that Keiser “has served our state well leading her private sector work, which has helped propel many young professionals into the workforce. She knows what Florida needs and has demonstrated that with her support of Republican ideals and principles. Belinda would be an excellent addition to the caucus and the effort to continue to Make America Great.”
Similarly, Fine described Keiser as a staunch supporter of Trump’s MAGA movement.
“Belinda has been a friend since I first entered politics, and I have seen firsthand what she has done to fight for Florida,” Fine told Florida Politics about his endorsement of Keiser. “She has been a champion for our nation-leading higher education system and the future of every Florida student. Belinda has done so much for this state, and I could not be more excited for her to join me in the fight in Washington to Make America Great Again!”
In pre-Trump America Keiser’s statement might have been shocking, but Trump and his supporters have openly advocated for persecuting the president’s political opponents — and sometimes done more than that. Trump has pursued charges against former FBI Director James Comey, arguing that his posting of a picture spelling ‘8647’ with seashells was a threat against the president. He has also pursued indictments that experts agree are tenuous and likely politically-motivated against Democrats including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, California Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado and Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania.
Trump has also indicted his own former national security adviser, John Bolton, another of his critics.