Why Aren’t We Talking About Ron DeSantis’s Time Overseeing Torture At Guantánamo Bay?

Images of Ron DeSantis in military uniform from the Florida GOP Facebook page.

We don’t know much about the time that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spent at Guantánamo Bay. DeSantis was a Lieutenant Commander and JAG lawyer stationed at the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. We know that as a JAG, his role was to ensure the humane treatment of detainees. We also know that detainees were not provided humane treatment at Guantánamo Bay and that a torture program was active in the facility. While no mainstream outlets I’ve noted have covered it yet, there is a growing suspicion, based on new allegations, that Ron DeSantis was involved in the torture program at Guantánamo Bay. This claim deserves further scrutiny.

Looking at DeSantis’ statements about his service, things remain pretty murky. In a 2016 Facebook post, DeSantis stated, “In the military I served at Guantanamo Bay– I know you do NOT want these terrorists released.” An official office press release from DeSantis states, “(DeSantis) served at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center during his active duty service.” In official statements, DeSantis had claimed to have continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve, but those claims have been denied by the U.S. Naval Reserve itself, stating, “He’s not active or reserve. He’s not a member of the Navy anymore.”