Ron DeSantis, a Republican running for president, reportedly declared during a Fox News interview on Wednesday that if elected, he would dismantle the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Fox News reporter If DeSantis were to win the presidency, Martha MacCallum challenged him on whether he would abolish certain government agencies.
“Are you in favor of eliminating any agencies? I know conservatives in the past have talked about closing the Department of Education, would you do that?” Martha MacCallum asked DeSantis.
In response, DeSantis said he would terminate many agencies.
“We would do Education, we would do Commerce, we’d do Energy, and we would do IRS,” DeSantis responded.
“But what I’m also going to do, Martha, is be prepared if Congress won’t go that far. I’m going to use those agencies to push back against woke ideology and against the leftism that we see creeping into all institutions of American life,” he continued.
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis was just asked if he's in favor of eliminating any federal agencies.
He says he wants to eliminate the Departments of Education, Commerce, and Energy — and the IRS. pic.twitter.com/xwdA0GiJ9Y
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) June 28, 2023
In an interview with radio personality Dana Loesch last month, DeSantis also openly expressed his opinions on the IRS.
When a measure to defund the IRS came across his desk, Loesch questioned DeSantis on whether he would “sign” it.
[READ MORE: DeSantis Receives Backing From 19 North Carolina State Representatives, Including Speaker of the House]
You’ll never get the votes to do away with the IRS. Reform? YES! But not abolish.
Mr DeSantis, you are trying to differentiate yourself too much and becoming fringe. Please just target the border, inflation, families, national security, etc. You’ll do great if you do.