DeSantis delivers on evacuating Americans trapped in Israel. More leaders like that, please.

While the Biden administration was still floating trial balloons regarding support of Israel after the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was making concrete plans to help get Americans trapped in Israel out of harm’s way. More than 30 U.S. citizens have died in the war.

When times are tough, DeSantis is a guy you want to have on your side.

Last Thursday, he issued an executive order that authorized the emergency response to fly Floridians out of Israel. In the order, DeSantis argued that the Biden administration had been too slow in its effort to get Americans to safety – and that commercial flights had been grounded given the violence in the region.

Just days later, on Sunday night, a flight of 270 Americans – more than 90 of them children – landed in Tampa on “DeSantis Airlines,” as some have dubbed the effort. DeSantis was on the ground to greet the evacuees.

The relief and gratitude on the passengers’ faces were palpable. And they won’t have to pay the state back – unlike U.S. citizens who call on the federal government to get them out of Israel (which is apparently customary in such instances). Late last week, the State Department began arranging charter flights for Americans stranded in Israel.

This is a side of DeSantis we should see more

More than 300 citizens have returned home to Florida, thanks to the governor – and Project Dynamo, the rescue nonprofit that coordinated the flights.

Florida is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, as well as many dual Israeli American citizens with family in Israel, according to the executive order. DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern told me the rescue mission has cost about $4 million so far and more flights are expected in the days ahead.

President Joe Biden should send DeSantis a thank-you card. He’s not likely to, however, because DeSantis does actively want Biden’s job.

DeSantis as governor is impressive, as he has proved during several natural disasters in Florida, as well as effectively running the state government. When things need to get done, that’s when he shines.

The presidential campaign trail and finding his voice on the national stage have proved more challenging for him. After an initial surge in the polls, DeSantis has struggled to maintain his No. 2 spot behind GOP presidential front-runner and former President Donald Trump.

Bipartisan corruption scandals: Sure, GOP Rep. George Santos is bad news. But Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez is much worse.

The Florida governor seems to be hitting his stride now, leaning into the leadership qualities that make him an attractive candidate. We need less of the forced culture warrior and more of the capable governor.

DeSantis also is bolder in his attacks on Trump, and that’s a positive sign. He called out Trump’s poorly thought out comments last week, when the former president slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not being prepared for the attack and called Hezbollah militants “very smart.” It was supposed to be an indirect criticism of Biden, but was typical of Trump’s crass and cringeworthy style.

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“Now is not the time to be attacking our ally,” DeSantis said in New Hampshire last week.

He added: “If you want to change from Trump, I think I’m the best leader.”

Republican Party is in desperate need of better leadership

DeSantis’ ability to deliver hundreds of Floridians safely home from Israel is a welcome contrast with the chaos on display among Republicans in the U.S. House in recent weeks.

After a small faction of the party ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy without having a clue whom they wanted to replace him, the House has been paralyzed in its ability to send aid to Israel after the attack. Not to mention the upcoming fight over funding the government.

GOP in chaos: 2024 should be cakewalk for Republicans, but they're determined to give failing Dems a win

It’s all been a very bad look for Republicans, who should be poised to have a good year in 2024, following Biden’s lackluster presidency and Americans’ continued concerns over the economy.

And most important, conservatives must wake up from their Trump trance and move on to a presidential candidate who can ditch the drama and just do the job well.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Americans were stranded after Hamas attack. Then DeSantis delivered