On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Staten Island to speak at an event sponsored by the state Fraternal Order of Police.[0] DeSantis was introduced by former Long Island Congressman and 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin, who praised the Governor’s efforts in taking the state in the right direction.[1]
DeSantis’s visit to the Northeast also included stops in Philadelphia and Chicago, where he met with law enforcement officers to promote tougher laws on crime and his “law and order” policies. In Chicago, the Governor’s visit caused a stir among Illinois Democrats vying for the title of Chicago mayor.[0] Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded by condemning DeSantis as “homophobic.”[2]
DeSantis has been discussed as a potential GOP nominee to run for the presidency in 2024, although he has yet to make an official announcement.[3] During his speech on Staten Island, he criticized New York’s bail reform law and offered a show of support for police.[4] He also announced a recruitment program which offers a $5,000 signing bonus to those who join law enforcement agencies in Florida.
In response to DeSantis’s visit, New York City Mayor Eric Adams tweeted early Monday morning: “Welcome to NYC, @GovRonDeSantis, a place where we don’t ban books, discriminate against our LGBTQ+ neighbors, use asylum seekers as props, or let the government stand between a woman and health care. We’re happy to teach you something about values while you’re here.”[5]
However, Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’s former press secretary and current rapid response director, countered Adams’s tweet with one of her own, writing: “Nice rhetoric – but here’s reality: More Americans fled NYC than any other metro area last year. More Americans moved to Florida than any other state.”[6]
Governor J.B. Pritzker echoed the sentiments of Mayor Adams, writing on Twitter: “Ron DeSantis’ dangerous and hateful agenda has no place in Illinois.[7] Banning books, playing politics with people’s lives, and censoring history are antithetical to who we are.[8] Every candidate hoping to hold public office in the Land of Lincoln should condemn this event.[9]
0. “Blue State Democrats trip over themselves to denounce DeSantis visit” The Capitolist, 20 Feb. 2023, https://thecapitolist.com/illinois-democrats-trip-over-themselves-to-denounce-desantis-speech-even-before-he-delivered-it/
1. “Trump ally Zeldin appears with DeSantis at New York law enforcement event” The Hill, 21 Feb. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3867181-trump-ally-zeldin-appears-with-desantis-at-new-york-law-enforcement-event/
2. “DeSantis team fires back at Eric Adams after he offers to teach Florida governor about NYC ‘values'” Fox News, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-team-fires-back-eric-adams-nyc-values
3. “NYC Mayor Eric Adams takes shot at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of visit to Staten Island” ABC News, 20 Feb. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-takes-shot-florida-gov/story?id=97333945
4. “Governor DeSantis Blasts NY’s Bail Reform Law On Staten Island” 710 WOR, 21 Feb. 2023, https://710wor.iheart.com/content/2023-02-21-governor-desantis-blasts-nys-bail-reform-law-on-staten-island/
5. “During NYC visit, Gov. DeSantis complains about ‘woke’ politicians, avoids thorny issues like abortion, book bans and …” Brunswick News, 21 Feb. 2023, https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/national_news/during-nyc-visit-gov-desantis-complains-about-woke-politicians-avoids-thorny-issues-like-abortion-book/article_59a328aa-ad86-5e54-9eca-ea9b4170e9f5.html
6. “Inside Ron DeSantis’ Law and Order tour as he fuels 2024 White House bid speculation in first stop in S…” The US Sun, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.the-sun.com/news/7447141/inside-ron-desantis-law-and-order-tour
7. “DeSantis gets caught up in Chicago police politics” NBC News, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/desantis-gets-caught-chicago-police-politics-rcna71741
8. “DeSantis speaks to Chicago police officers in Elmhurst” CBS Chicago, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ron-desantis-chicago-fop-speech-police-officers
9. “Editorial: Governor, Ron DeSantis had the right to speak in Elmhurst” Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-desantis-pritzker-mendoza-lightfoot-election-chicago-20230222-ygjhxud7xffphfuzffaebhubz4-story.html
