Ben Carson Calls for Drone Strikes to Blast ‘Caves’ Along US-Mexico Border (Video)
“Those caves can be eliminated,” GOP presidential candidate tells CNN’s Jim Acosta on “State of the Union”
Anita Bennett | August 23, 2015 @ 9:16 AM
Last Updated: August 23, 2015 @ 10:50 AM
CNN
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is calling for the use of drones to step up surveillance and destroy caves that smugglers use to move people and drugs along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“There are caves that they utilize. Those caves can be eliminated. There are a number of possibilities — that could be one of them,” Carson told Jim Acosta Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” as he spoke from Columbia, South Carolina.
It’s not the first time that Carson has suggested using drones to secure the border.
Last week after a tour of the area, the retired neurosurgeon said he was open to the idea. But on Sunday he insisted his previous comments were taken out of context because he never meant that he wanted to target immigrants.
“I’m not talking about killing people. No people with drones,” he insisted. “Drones can help with the surveillance. In no way did I suggest that drones be used to kill people.”
Carson has been climbing in the polls following his performance in the first GOP presidential debate and his recent criticism of Planned Parenthood. Last week’s CNN/ORC national poll has him in third place after Donald Trump and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Watch the video of Carson’s interview on CNN below.
2016 Presidential Contenders: The Race to the White House (Photos)
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the first person to officially throw his hat into the ring on March 23.
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Republican Senator Rand Paul announced his candidacy on April 7.
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Former First Lady and Secretary of State, Democrat Hillary Clinton announced she would again seek the Oval Office on April 12.
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A Tea Party favorite, Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced his candidacy on April 13.
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A self-described democratic socialist, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announced he would run on April 28.
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Retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson announced his candidacy on May 3. A native of Detroit, the Republican lived in Baltimore for 36 years.
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The first woman to lead a Fortune 20 company, Republican Carly Fiorina announced her candidacy on May 4.
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Former Arkansas governor and Fox News host Mike Huckabee announced his second presidential run in the GOP field on May 5.
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A former Republican senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum announced his second presidential bid on May 27.
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Former New York Governor George Pataki announced the launch of his presidential campaign with a YouTube video on May 28.
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Martin O'Malley, a Democrat and former governor of Maryland, joined the race on May 30.
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Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, announced he would run for the highest office on June 1.
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A former Republican and independent governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee announced his bid for the Democratic nomination on June 3.
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Rick Perry threw his hat into the ring for a second time on June 4. The Republican was the longest serving governor in Texas history.
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The son of one former president and brother of another, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush announced his bid for the Republican nomination on June 15.
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Republican real estate mogul Donald Trump threw his hat into the presidential ring on June 16, saying he'd be “the greatest jobs president that God ever created.”
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"I'm running for President of the United States of America," tweeted Louisiana's Republican Governor Bobby Jindal, who used social media to announce his candidacy on June 24.
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After declaring that "both parties have failed our country," New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie announced his intention to run on June 30.
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Jim Webb, a decorated Vietnam vet and the former Democratic governor of Virginia, announced his candidacy on July 2.
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Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker announced his candidacy on July 13 with a campaign video.
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Ohio Governor John Kasich announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination on July 21, saying no other candidate else has his experience dealing with deficits, unemployment and national security.
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Jim Gilmore, former Army intelligence officer and Republican governor of Virginia, announced his candidacy on July 30.
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From Jeb Bush to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the race continues to grow
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the first person to officially throw his hat into the ring on March 23.