Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday issued a stern warning to would-be rioters in the Sunshine State.
The moment: DeSantis during a press conference in Fort Myers while announcing his state’s apportionment of $1,000 bonuses to first responders as a “small token” of appreciation for their service in the past year.
- The governor pointed to the ongoing unrest in cities like Portland, Oregon, and contrasted the situation in Florida.
- DeSantis has spoken out in support of law enforcement and taken a tough stance on violent demonstrations, passing legislation in April that strengthened penalties on rioting and assaults on officers.
- “If anyone does cause these problems — if you try to burn something down, try to harm anybody, but particularly a police officer during one of these violent assemblies — there will be consequences,” the governor said. “They will be swift and they will be severe.”
America’s governor: DeSantis’ aggressive approach to crime and the media — and his conspicuous achievements as governor — have made him a favorite to be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
- Top pundits from both the conservative establishment and the populist right have hailed DeSantis as a new-and-improved Trump.
- “DeSantis is Trump but more competent, with similar or superior hand gestures, and doesn’t come with the baggage of Javanka,” tweeted Pedro Gonzalez, a senior writer at American Greatness.
