The second Republican debate of the 2024 presidential primary has just concluded at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Seven Republican candidates for the second primary debate took the stage at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, to discuss:
- Former President Donald Trump
- United Auto Workers strike
- Border
- Education
- and other key issues.
Donald Trump
As the other Republican contenders continue to fall short of Trump’s support among primary voters, some have criticized him for skipping the debate and adding to national debt.
“Donald Trump, he hides behind the walls of his golf clubs and won’t show up here to answer questions like the rest of us are up here to answer,” former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie stated to applause. “He added $7 trillion to the debt.” He should be here to answer those questions for the people you mentioned who are in pain.”
Border issues
With illegal border crossings on the rise, Haley advised defunding sanctuary cities, hiring 25,000 additional border patrol and ICE personnel, and enacting a catch-and-deport strategy rather than a catch-and-release programme.
Christie suggested that the surge in migrants crossing the southern border be treated as a law-enforcement issue, promising to sign an executive order directing the national Guard to work with Customs and Border Patrol to stop the flow of fentanyl and accusing Trump of failing to build the border wall he promised during 2016 campaign.
Ramaswamy stated that he agrees with other Republicans and call for advocating for the end of birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He also called for the militarization of the southern border.
Education
DeSantis called the framing a “hoax perpetrated by Kamala Harris” and informed avout his state’s education system as a model for the nation in terms of eliminating critical race theory and implementing universal school choice. “Our country’s education system is in decline because it’s focused on indoctrination,” DeSantis stated.
In reaction, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott stated that slavery has no redeeming qualities and that the contentious passage needs to be removed from the curriculum. He went on to say that America is “not a racist country, never, ever, because that is not who we are.”
Participants were also questioned on parental rights for transgender children.” Parents have the right to know”, Ramaswamy said, calling “transgenderism” a” mental health disorder”.“ Pence went on to say that he would enact a federal prohibition on “transgender chemical or surgical surgery.” “We’ve got to protect our kids from this radical gender ideology agenda,” he stated.
