Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared on Fox News’ Life, Liberty & Levin with host Mark Levin on Sunday to discuss issues ranging from national security to ideological challenges in academia.
During the wide-ranging interview, DeSantis emphasized the need for strong leadership and decisive action to counter threats to the United States, both from Islamist terrorism and domestic ideological movements.
DeSantis criticized the Biden administration’s approach to national security, arguing that it has weakened the country’s ability to address threats like Islamist terrorism. He contrasted this with the Trump administration’s policies, praising former President Donald Trump for his strong stance on border security and counterterrorism.
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“After four years of Biden, we’re in way worse shape than we were even under Barack Obama,” DeSantis said. “The border has been wide open, and our enemies are taking advantage of that. Meanwhile, our national security apparatus is focusing on things like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rather than the core mission of protecting Americans.”
DeSantis also expressed concern about the infiltration of what he termed the “woke mind virus” into federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the FBI. “This leftism takes their eye off the ball,” he said. “Our military should focus on lethal force and defending the country, not social agendas.”
The conversation shifted to the role of universities in shaping public discourse and addressing ideological extremism. Levin commended DeSantis for his actions in Florida to reform higher education, including eliminating DEI initiatives and ensuring accountability among university faculty.
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“We were the first university system in America to eliminate DEI programs, which are really about discrimination and indoctrination,” DeSantis said. “Universities are funded with our tax dollars, and we have a right to insist they serve the interests of the state, not perpetuate anti-American ideology.”
DeSantis pointed to Florida’s recent reforms as a model for other states, emphasizing the importance of confronting ideological bias head-on. “All tenured professors in Florida can be held accountable and terminated for poor performance,” he noted. “We’ve provided a roadmap for other states to follow.”
As the discussion turned to the incoming Trump administration, DeSantis expressed optimism about the opportunity to reverse policies he views as detrimental to national security and societal cohesion.
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“January 20th will give the country an opportunity to refocus on protecting the American people,” he said, adding that decisive action from both federal and state governments is necessary to counter ideological extremism and threats to public safety.
The interview underscored DeSantis’ commitment to reshaping both national security policy and higher education while setting the stage for continued conservative leadership under the Trump administration.
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