Phoenix – Former Congressman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon appeared Thursday morning on "The Mike Broomhead Show" (KTAR News 92.3 FM).

He spoke with Broomhead about Operation Copper Shield, his brand-new initiative to take on the drug cartels and human traffickers by deploying 1,200 armed National Guard troops and investing millions of dollars in county sheriffs, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials.

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You can read excerpts from the radio segment below:

MIKE BROOMHEAD:
"How is your border plan different from the other GOP candidates, and why do you think it'll be more effective?"

MATT SALMON:
"My plan, Operation Copper Shield, would deploy 1,200 armed National Guard members at the border to make sure that we start taking care of our own destiny and stop relying on Washington, D.C., and I think the Constitution is very, very clear that, in times like this, we have the authority to do what we need to do ...

"I'm calling it what it is: It's an invasion by the cartels. With the human trafficking, sex trafficking, drugs, and guns, we have a right to protect the safety and security of our own citizens."

MATT SALMON:
"Arizonans are sick and tired of basically saying, 'Well, it's not my responsibility. Washington has to do this. Washington has to do that.' They're electing leaders of the state ... All powers not granted in Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution are left to the people and the states, and I intend as governor to push that as far as I possibly can and I think the people that live in the state expect the governor to do that."