The Trump Justice Department, in a major joint operation, has rescued 60 children from sex traffickers in Florida, showing what happens when America puts predators on notice instead of targeting parents at school board meetings.
At a Glance
- “Operation Dragon Eye” successfully recovered 60 missing children aged 9-17 in the Tampa Bay area.
- Eight individuals were arrested on charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, and drug trafficking.
- The sting is considered the most successful missing child recovery effort in U.S. Marshals Service history.
- Florida ranks among the top three states for human trafficking cases.
- The operation was a collaboration between the Trump Justice Department, the U.S. Marshals, and Florida state agencies.
A Decisive Strike Against Child Trafficking
In what officials are calling the most successful missing child recovery operation in U.S. Marshals Service history, “Operation Dragon Eye” has rescued 60 critically missing children from human traffickers in Florida. The two-week initiative, which concluded on June 23, 2025, targeted the Tampa Bay area and resulted in eight arrests.
This operation wasn’t another hollow government initiative—it was a coordinated strike force that delivered real results. While the previous administration was focused on politically motivated investigations, the Trump Justice Department, working with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, has shown a clear commitment to protecting America’s most vulnerable. The operation involved a coalition of 20 different agencies tracking down the missing children, 31% of whom had disappeared from foster homes.
The Horrific Reality Behind the Numbers
The grim reality of what these children endured is difficult to comprehend. Officials confirmed that some of the young girls rescued during the operation were pregnant by their traffickers. This is the evil that has been allowed to fester while leftist politicians and activists focus on radical social agendas.
The operation revealed the harsh truth that Florida ranks among the top three states for human trafficking, alongside California and Texas. U.S. Marshal William Berger described the mission’s success as historic. “The successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service,” Berger stated, as reported by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Zero Tolerance for Child Predators
Florida’s leadership, from Governor Ron DeSantis to Attorney General James Uthmeier, has taken a hardline stance against traffickers. Uthmeier’s message was refreshingly direct and free of the political correctness that has hampered law enforcement.
“The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission,” Uthmeier said. “As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority. If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story,” he stated in comments covered by The National Pulse.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass echoed that sentiment: “Sixty kids saved. That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers.”
A Model for the Nation
The success of Operation Dragon Eye should serve as a wake-up call and a model for every state. While the federal government under the previous administration pursued policies that created a porous border—making it easier for traffickers to operate—Florida has demonstrated what real leadership and clear priorities can accomplish. The operation provided not just rescue but also comprehensive physical and psychological care for the victims. This is what happens when government focuses on its core function: protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty.
