Ron DeSantis speculates on EMP attack 'implications' amid cell outage

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'So it's a little bit jarring to think about the implications of something like that.'

Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed the ongoing cellular network outage impacting AT&T users, before noting that things could be worse.

In Orlando, DeSantis floated the “implications” of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack as an example of how “jarring” our reliance on cellular phone technology is.

“Imagine if we had an EMP attack what would end up happening in this country. So it’s not necessarily a good thought because you think you’re just so naturally reliant on having cell service,” DeSantis said.

“If you’re in the car, you need to figure out where you’re going to go. All this other stuff. So it’s a little bit jarring to think about the implications of something like that (if it) happened on a much grander scale.”

The Governor said his office had talked to AT&T and they don’t “necessarily know what caused” the outage, but they’re working to resolve it.

DeSantis isn’t the only prominent Florida Republican leader using today’s tech snafu to illustrate a worst-case scenario.

“I don’t know the cause of the AT&T outage. But I do know it will be 100 times worse when #China launches a cyber attack on America on the eve of a #Taiwan invasion. And it won’t be just cell service they hit, it will be your power, your water and your bank,” warned U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on X.

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21 comments

Mayorkas Impeached
February 22, 2024 at 11:32 am

They will be here soon enough.
- Joe
  March 1, 2024 at 11:03 am
  
  Somebody get this guy his blankie and a fresh diaper.
Phil Morton
February 22, 2024 at 12:02 pm

Consumer Cellular never goes out, just sayin’.
- Unknown Anonymous
  February 22, 2024 at 2:52 pm
  
  Yes it does. My consumer cellular service was out this morning for hours. That’s because CC uses AT&T towers.
Tom
February 22, 2024 at 12:29 pm

More likely a solar flare but hey, why not scare the bejeezus out of everyone with wild speculation. You’d think that people in a position of authority would be a little more circumspect with their comments.
- MH/Duuuval
  February 22, 2024 at 4:02 pm
  
  When you view potential voters as sheep — to be driven to your version of the Promised Land — then scaring the heck out of them is the biggest hammer in your tool box.
- NYConservative
  February 22, 2024 at 6:07 pm
  
  He is being circumspect. Knocking out the grid with an EMPis a real possibility, not just the remote one. If/when that happens, there’s no electricity and 90% of the population will be dead within three weeks.
  - MH/Duuuval
    February 22, 2024 at 6:50 pm
    
    “90% of the population will be dead within three weeks.”
    
    Dee is no better an explainer than he is a decider. So, how do 90 percent of us die in this scenario?
    - NYConservative
      February 23, 2024 at 1:47 am
      
      Seriously? If an EMP knocks out the grid virtually everything we need to sustain life vanishes. It’s not just no lights. It’s no refrigeration. The supermarket shelves will be empty in two days and no trucks to restock because the gas pumps won’t work. Armed gangs roaming the street looking for your food, water (there will be none coming out of your tap because the pumping stations won’t work), and your women.
      No cops (they will be home protecting their own families.) No doctors, no drugs, no hospitals.
      but all that really won’t matter because there will be no food unless you live on a remote farm and have enough guns and ammo to fend off the gangs, and no water unless you live near a freshwater source.
      90% of the population will be dead within weeks from starvation, violence, or disease. You will find yourself smack dab in the middle of the 1800’s but with no skill required of that era to survive.
      Still think he is not being circumspect?
    - Jimmie Joe Bob
      February 23, 2024 at 12:50 pm
      
      Put yer head back k in the “sand”, everything gonna be okay……or not.
- K Michelle
  February 23, 2024 at 3:05 am
  
  Seriously? You do understand that that the FBI met up and had a HUGE meeting with US Sherriffs discussing an attack like this is imanent and that it’s not about if but when! There have been. Multiple threats against our communication networks and we have been on high alert for awhile now. We ARE expecting this to happen and it sounds like they think it will be soon.
  - Mac
    February 23, 2024 at 9:16 am
    
    As an engineer with decades of experience building networks in the US and virtually every continent,, it is a bit disturbing to see people speculating about things they barely understand.
    
    Yellowstone erupting is a far greater risk than someone using a sufficiently powerful nuke against the world hegemon. Just silly.
    
    DeSantis, of course has less than zero understanding of these systems and even less about the geopolitical situation.
    
    In fact, the super empowerment displayed in this comment thread, where social media and internet news convince people with minuscule knowledge to have huge opinions is a far greater threat to the US than any Emp.
    
    The US has been moving hard to the right over the last few decades. As we look around the world, we realize there are no developed right wing countries.
T Mennicucci
February 22, 2024 at 4:09 pm

As soon as I heard cell phones were down I already thought of that maybe it is just the start
T Mennicucci
February 22, 2024 at 4:10 pm

I have already thought of that as soon as I heard the towers were down maybe this is just the beginning
Annette
February 22, 2024 at 4:45 pm

That’s why landlines are still good to have, just saying.
Donna Hastings
February 22, 2024 at 7:07 pm

The telephone ☎️ is not a Toy.
lloyd bless
February 22, 2024 at 8:51 pm

How can people be so naive in theses times and feel like all is well with the toil we need most is not available from our daily communication to our bank accounts and think we are not vulnerable to attacks in such times from an emp with a nuclear wipe out behind it how could we ever recover from this attack.
Kerry cole
February 22, 2024 at 9:07 pm

Did anyone see the bright light and the heat so need a emp shield
It is coming already prepared for it. With a radio,Geiger counter, and a bunker
Jenifer
February 23, 2024 at 11:45 am

I am surprised at all the “Doomsday” fear! If it happens, it just does! There is nothing we can do to stop it! Live life to the fullest!
Johnadams
February 26, 2024 at 7:55 am

I think china just wants to be #1 in the world.
They make to much money from us and steel technology from us to do such a thing. I agree they want Taiwan. They would want to stop us from defending them.
Joe
March 1, 2024 at 11:03 am

Lol, these crybaby RepubliQans walk around terrified all day, constantly filling their diapers over their imagined boogeymen.