Tag: Ron DeSantis

‘Death by DeSantis’: Congresswoman attacks governor for making a mockery of Floridians dying in hospitals

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One out of five Americans with COVID-19 are from Florida, according to shocking information revealed this week. The state is one of the worst in the country after the Republican governor celebrated that he was eliminating all precautions employed by other states.

The numbers tracked by the New York Times revealed that Florida is the worst state, followed by regional outbreaks like northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, both of which are experiencing enormous increases in disease spread. 

“I think we have a governor who has not taken covid seriously from the beginning,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “He has campaign merchandise on his website saying ‘Don’t Fauci my Florida.’ And we’ve had nearly 40,000 Floridians die of COVID. We have, we are contributing 20 percent of the COVID diagnosis in the country right now and we’re on the rise. And look, I would rather see us Fauci our Florida than have people go through death by DeSantis. That’s what we’re facing now. He actually had a law pass in Florida to prohibit local governments from being able to enact measures like mask requirements and social distancing to keep people safe. You can’t make this up! That’s where the blame lies. At his feet.” Continue reading.

DeSantis sells ‘Don’t Fauci My Florida’ merch as new coronavirus cases near highest in nation

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested that he should be criminally investigated. Republican members of Congress introduced a “Fire Fauci Act” to remove his salary.

Now White House medical adviser Anthony S. Fauci — a polarizing figure in the U.S. response to the coronavirus — is also part of a rising GOP star’s political branding.

“Don’t Fauci My Florida,” read drink koozies and T-shirts that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s campaign team rolled out just as his state sees some of the highest coronavirus hospitalizations, new infections and deaths per capita in the country. It’s the latest example of Republicans running on their opposition to virus-fueled shutdowns and mask mandates. A pandemic hero to some and villain to others, Fauci has become a high-profile target. Continue reading.

As DeSantis takes aim at cruise industry, Republicans step up attacks on longtime allies in corporate America

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Cruise ship companies announce varying vaccine rules as they face stiff political pressure in the South.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s refusal to allow cruise ship operators to require proof of passenger vaccinations reflects a mounting willingness by top Republicans to demonize and defy corporations that have been among the party’s closest allies.

DeSantis has barred businesses in the state from insisting that customers be vaccinated, calling it a matter of individual liberty. In recent days, the cruise ship industry has splintered into different camps after beginning the year largely unified behind the idea of compulsory vaccines. Now, some companies are backing down while others such as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings remain adamant.

The clash between the governor, a likely 2024 presidential candidate, and one of Florida’s major employers highlights the anti-corporate mood of a Republican Party reshaped by former president Donald Trump’s populism. This Republican souring on big business — and enthusiasm to use government power against it — already has rattled companies such as Facebook, Coke, Apple and Delta and may just be getting started. Continue reading.

Military personnel block Democratic activist from Ron DeSantis public event

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Military personnel blocked a Democratic activist from a public event held by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.

Thomas Kennedy, a Miami-based activist and member of the Democratic National Convention, said he was stopped by uniformed service members at a press event held at a National Guard armory.

“Just tried to get into a Ron Desantis press event in Miami and they literally had military personnel with FL Department of Law Enforcement documents with my photo and information waiting to stop me,” Kennedy tweeted. “This how terrified Ron Desantis is of criticism.” Continue reading.

DeSantis Took $9 Billion From Biden’s COVID Relief Bill He Slammed

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a vehement critic of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which the far-right Republican and ally of former President Donald Trump has slammed as “Washington as its worst.” But Steve Benen, in an op-ed published by MSNBC’s website on June 3, stresses that there is a major problem with DeSantis “railing against” that bill: his willingness to accept almost $9 billion in Rescue Plan funds from the federal government.

Benen explains, “Yesterday, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed his state’s budget, there were plenty of smiles, with the governor announcing $1,000 bonuses for teachers, principals and first responders. ‘We’re proud that we got the bonuses through,’ the Republican boasted. There was a detail, however, that DeSantis didn’t mention.”

That detail, Benen adds, is how much the Florida budget relies on federal funds from the Rescue Plan. On June 2, Politico‘s Matt Dixon reported that DeSantis “signed a $100 billion state budget bolstered by nearly $9 billion in expected federal stimulus funds, putting the Republican governor in the awkward political position of building his budget on a wave of cash from President Joe Biden…. The newly signed budget, the biggest in state history…. was made much easier to cobble together because of the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.” Continue reading.

Miami newspaper slams Ron DeSantis for ‘not caring one bit’ about Floridians’ health during COVID-19

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On Friday, May 28, Florida’s Office of the Inspector General told attorneys for Rebekah Jones — a former data analyst for the Florida Health Department who openly criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic — that she now enjoys whistleblower status. And the Miami Herald’s editorial board applauds this development in an editorial published over the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend, slamming DeSantis for not doing more to protect the health of Floridians during a deadly pandemic.

DeSantis, the Herald’s editorial board writes, “seemed to care not one bit about the health and well-being of most Floridians as the pandemic raged.” And Jones, according to the editorial board, “has gone up against an administration that has shamelessly concealed vital COVID information during the past year.”

“Unfortunately, the possibility of DOH manipulating information is not a stretch,” the editorial reads. “An investigation continues, and with the cover of whistleblower status, Jones will need to vigorously back up her allegations and the state, its defense. For now, Jones’ whistleblower victory stands to be a win over state secrecy for the rest of us.” Continue reading.

Experts explain how DeSantis violated the Constitution by blocking outlets from bill signing

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) turned heads on Thursday, May 6 when he only allowed Fox News to cover his signing of the state’s newly-passed voting restrictions bill. Now, experts say he may have violated the U.S. Constitution by doing so.

DeSantis’ move blocked all news outlets from covering the bill signing with the exception of Fox News. And it may be a violation of the First Amendment, according to Pamela Marsh, the executive director of the open-government advocacy firm First Amendment Foundation. On Friday, May 6, Marsh offered her assessment of DeSantis’ stunt during an interview with The Tampa Bay Times.

“The law leaves no question as to the impropriety of banning certain media while allowing only friendly media,” said Marsh. “That is viewpoint and content discrimination.” Continue reading.

Florida’s new voting law immediately hit with lawsuits

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Voting rights groups on Thursday filed a pair of lawsuits targeting a restrictive GOP-crafted voting bill, just moments after it was signed into law by Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

The complaints, both filed in federal court in Tallahassee, claim the law, SB 90, illegally restricts access to the ballot box, with one of the suits alleging the measure will result in illegal discrimination against voters of color.

“SB 90 is a bill that purports to solve problems that do not exist,” reads one of the suits. “[It] caters to a dangerous lie about the 2020 election that threatens our most basic democratic values, and, in the end, makes it harder to vote without adequate justification for doing so.” Continue reading.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs election restriction bill

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Thursday signed a sweeping new election reform measure that would restrict access to the ballot box, the latest Republican-led effort to change election procedures sparked by former President Trump’s defeat six months ago.

DeSantis signed the legislation live on Fox News, shutting out local media who had planned to cover the ceremony. Florida Republicans passed the measure on near party-line votes over the objection of civil rights groups and over the opposition of all 67 of the state’s county supervisors of elections.

The measure would limit voter access to absentee ballot drop boxes used by most Florida counties, and it would require voters who want to cast absentee ballots to submit new requests every election cycle, rather than every four years. It will also ban anyone other than election workers from distributing food or water to anyone waiting in line within 150 feet of a polling place. Continue reading.

Disney rejects DeSantis mask order for Florida’s theme parks

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) may have signed new legislation ending all COVID-related government mandates, restrictions and mask requirements but Disney is making it clear that their parks will not be following in the governor’s footsteps. 

According to Newsweek, Disney World has added a pop-up alert on its My Disney Experience mobile app that acknowledges DeSantis’ latest order. However, the entertainment resort complex made it clear they will continue to enforce their current COVID guidelines, which also includes requirements for face-coverings.

“We are aware of the state of Florida’s plans announced today to modify COVID-19 guidelines. We will evaluate this latest guidance and maintain our current health and safety measures at this time, including face-covering requirements.” Continue reading.