DEA Chief Won’t Say If Mexico Cooperates Enough in Fight Against Drug Cartels

DEA Chief Dodges Questions on Mexico’s Cooperation in Fighting Drug Cartels

During an April 27 budget hearing, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram was grilled by Republican members of a House Appropriations Committee panel about Mexico’s cooperation in fighting drug cartels. However, Milgram repeatedly declined to answer the pointed questions, leaving the representatives frustrated.

The Greatest Drug Threat This Country Has Ever Faced

When asked about Mexico’s cooperation, Milgram simply described the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation criminal organizations as “the greatest drug threat this country has ever faced.” She estimated that more than 107,000 Americans died last year from violence and drug overdose.

Electric Vehicles for DEA Agents?

Representative John Carter (R-Texas) asked Milgram if it is practical for DEA agents chasing drug couriers in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to drive Electric Vehicles (EVs), as recently directed by President Joe Biden. Milgram only said the DEA is required to do as directed by Biden, and she assured the Texas representative that she “will do everything I can and the men and woman of DEA will do everything they can to do the work that needs to be done.”

DEA Contracts Under Investigation

Representative Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) asked Milgram about an investigation being conducted by Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz into allegations that millions of dollars in DEA sole source contracts are being awarded to political cronies of Milgram. Milgram remained oblique, promising to “get back to you” on how many no-bid contracts have been awarded by the DEA and the total dollar value.

Tempers Flare on ‘Open Border’ Claim

Tempers flared later when Representative Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) offered for the record a September 22, 2022, NBC opinion column titled “The GOP’s Myth of an Open Border.” The column claimed that “contrary to the ‘open border’ myth, U.S. borders are not open.”

• DEA Administrator Anne Milgram repeatedly declined to answer questions from Republican members of a House Appropriations Committee panel about Mexico’s cooperation in fighting drug cartels.
• Milgram described the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation criminal organizations as “the greatest drug threat this country has ever faced.”
• Representative John Carter (R-Texas) asked Milgram if it is practical for DEA agents chasing drug couriers in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to drive Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• Representative Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) asked Milgram about an investigation into allegations that millions of dollars in DEA sole source contracts are being awarded to political cronies of Milgram.
• Tempers flared when Representative Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) offered for the record a September 22, 2022, NBC opinion column titled “The GOP’s Myth of an Open Border.”

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.