Conservative commentator Steve Gruber sharply criticized Democrats over drug interdiction and fentanyl policy during recent remarks, arguing that political leaders are prioritizing the wrong concerns while overdose deaths continue to devastate communities across the country, including small towns in Michigan.
Gruber framed his comments around maritime drug enforcement and recent actions targeting drug vessels, saying Democratic opposition reflects misplaced sympathy.
“I clearly expect the President talking about Venezuela, about seizing the oil tankers 1.8 million barrels on the one that they took, the skipper value maybe $100 million but blowing the boats out of the water, the Democrats are on the wrong side of this stance,” Gruber said.
“There’s no question about they’re on the wrong side because they’re focused on the wrong victims.”
According to Gruber, Democrats focus on those transporting drugs rather than the communities harmed by them.
“They’re worried about who’s driving that boat, who’s in a boat full of drugs, and who’s getting blown up,” he said.
“But they don’t talk about are little places like Rapid River, Michigan.”
Gruber cited specific overdose figures to drive home his argument.
“335 people in Michigan supplement. It’s like God’s country. 335 people, five people in that in that little, tiny town, have died in the last year from fentanyl overdose in Grand Rapids,” he said.
He also referenced recent deaths in a major city. “They lost eight in a single month.”
“These are the real stories that the Democrats don’t seem to care about,” Gruber continued.
“They’re throwing their chips in with the drug dealers, the drug runners, human traffickers. Nobody buys that, not here, not anywhere.”
Gruber described the impact on families and said public patience has run out.
“Look when moms and dads are burying their sons and daughters, those are the real stories that impact America,” he said.
“And people are sick and tired of it. They want a real war on drugs. They want the poison to stop.”
He warned that overdose deaths are continuing at a rapid pace. “They don’t want 100,000 Americans to die from overdose as we sit here tonight,” Gruber said.
“As we sit here tonight, before the clock strikes midnight, 25 more Americans will be dead from fentanyl overdose. 25 more, and those funerals will happen. Those people will never see the new year of 2026.”
Gruber reiterated his view that Democrats are aligned against enforcement efforts. “The Democrats are on the wrong side of this,” he said.
During his remarks, Gruber singled out Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, calling him an exception among Democrats. “John Fetterman, the only honest Democrat,” Gruber said.
“I can’t believe we’re sitting here having that conversation.”
Gruber acknowledged past criticism of Fetterman but credited him for candor.
“John Fetterman, the guy, look, I was not a fan. I thought he was compromised. He had the stroke. He couldn’t speak, right?” Gruber said.
“He turns out to be the one guy you can count on from the Democrats, to at least be honest, he’s a Democrat, but he’ll tell you the truth.”
Gruber said Fetterman accurately described the legal basis for maritime drug interdiction following a classified briefing.
“He went into that classified intelligence briefing and came out, unlike other Democrats, and told the truth about what he had seen, why it’s legal,” Gruber said.
Gruber then cited federal law to support enforcement actions.
“Oh, and by the way, right here, this in front of me, this is the maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act of 1986 authored by a member of Congress in 1986 from the state of New York,” he said.
“His name: Chuck Schumer.”
According to Gruber, the law clearly authorizes the destruction of drug vessels. “He wrote the law that passed almost unanimously that makes it legal to blow drug boats out of the water,” Gruber said. “It happened in the 80s, a lot. In the 90s, a lot.”
Gruber concluded by pointing directly to Schumer’s role. “Go ahead, look it up, folks,” he said.
“Chuck Schumer the author of this bill that made what we’re doing with Venezuelan drug boats fully legal. We don’t need permission from the rest of the world. Chuck Schumer gave us that in 1986.”
WATCH:
“Right here, this in front of me, this is the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act of 1986, authored by a member of Congress in 1986, from the state of New York. His name, Chuck Schumer. He wrote the law that passed almost unanimously that makes it legal to blow drug boats out of… pic.twitter.com/MPiVUGqGYE [1]
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) December 18, 2025 [2]