Ben Carson: Drones Should Be Used on Mexican Drug Caves, Not People

Ben Carson defended comments he made about the use of military drone strikes along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying they could be used to destroy empty caves used by drug smugglers and those bringing in illegal immigrants.

Carson made his comments in a testy exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta on the network's Sunday political show "State of the Nation."

Acosta said he was trying to get the Republican presidential candidate to clarify comments he made earlier about the possible use of armed drones. Last Wednesday, Phoenix's KTVK reported on Twitter Carson's comments during a campaign trip there.

BREAKING: GOP Presidential candidate Ben Carson open to using military drone strikes on American soil to secure the border.

— Dennis Welch (@dennis_welch) August 19, 2015

Ben Carson when asked about drone to secure the border: "I'm suggesting we do what we need to do to secure the border whatever that is."

— Dennis Welch (@dennis_welch) August 19, 2015

More from @RealBenCarson on border issues: "You look at some of these caves and things out there one drone strike, boom, and they'd gone."

— Dennis Welch (@dennis_welch) August 19, 2015

In responding to the report, Carson said that he believed he was clear in talking about using a drone strike just on caves and not on people.

"There are caves that they utilize," Carson explained. "Those caves can be eliminated. There are a number of possibilities -- that could be one of them. … I'm not talking about killing people. No people with drones."

Carson accused the news media for ignoring issues happening along the U.S.-Mexican border while taking his own words out of context, reported Real Clear Politics.

"At some point I hope we have some responsible media which actually focuses on the problem: We have a huge security risk there," Carson said. "And talking to some of the sheriffs down there on the border... listen to the frustration. You should have them on your show and let them talk. About what is actually going on down there."

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