Uncommon Knowledge: MAGA’s Chinese Drone Ban Risks Backfiring

In Florida in 2023, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ rule grounded Chinese-made police drones, and some of the loudest pushback came from Republican counties. At a hearing, a representative of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said state-approved American replacements had “limited capabilities,” couldn’t fly at night, and their cameras were “not safe.” A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office representative added that a battery on one of the approved models had spontaneously caught fire in an officer’s car. In Lakeland, the assistant police chief summarized the effect more starkly: “With no drones, we’re back to figuring out which direction we want to…