JD Vance visits San Diego, vows crackdown on social media aiding cartels

During a visit to the US-Mexico border in San Diego, Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance criticized social media companies for their role in facilitating cartel recruitment. He emphasized that these platforms are profiting from illegal activities, including drug and sex trafficking, and warned that the Trump administration would take a hard stance against them if elected. Vance stated that the Department of Justice would be empowered to enforce stricter regulations on these companies to curb their involvement in such crimes. Vance's remarks were supported by local law enforcement, who highlighted the alarming trend of juveniles being recruited through social media platforms like WhatsApp and TikTok. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reported that over a hundred minors had been apprehended for smuggling activities, indicating a troubling pattern of exploitation by cartels targeting young individuals seeking quick financial gain. The financial implications of these activities are significant, with cartels reportedly earning $13 billion annually from human trafficking. This situation has escalated under the current administration, with a notable increase in the number of migrants evading arrest, which has more than doubled since the previous fiscal year. The statistics reveal a growing crisis at the border, exacerbated by the recruitment tactics employed by criminal organizations. Vance's visit marks his second trip to the border since being named as Trump's running mate, reflecting the campaign's focus on border security and law enforcement. His commitment to addressing the issue of social media's complicity in cartel activities underscores a broader strategy to tackle illegal immigration and trafficking in the upcoming election.