Gov. DeSantis joins Gov. Abbott in taking a stand against radical Islam



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced a new executive order on Monday, taking action against radical Islam.

DeSantis issued an order designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist organizations.

'CAIR was designated as an unindicted co-conspirator by the United States Government in the largest terrorism-financing case in American history.'

The order, which took immediate effect, argued that the Muslim Brotherhood is a "transnational network with a long history of engaging in or supporting violence," noting that the group created Hamas in 1987. It stated that the U.S. designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 and that the group was responsible for 1,200 murders on October 7, 2023.

DeSantis' order explained that the Palestine Committee, a group affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, founded CAIR in the U.S. in 1994.

"CAIR was designated as an unindicted co-conspirator by the United States Government in the largest terrorism-financing case in American history, and the court found 'ample evidence to establish the association[]' of CAIR with terrorist organizations," the order read, citing United States v. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.

RELATED: Gov. Abbott talks redistricting victory, action against CAIR with Glenn Beck

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images

"Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support," DeSantis stated.

DeSantis' order follows similar executive action from Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) in November.

RELATED: No Sharia law in Texas: Abbott draws a hard line against radical Islam

Greg Abbott. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

CAIR issued a statement declaring that it plans to file a lawsuit against DeSantis' designation, accusing the governor of "serving the Israeli government over serving the people of Florida."

"Like Greg Abbott in Texas, Ron DeSantis is an Israel First politician who wants to smear and silence Americans, especially American Muslims, critical of U.S. support for Israel's war crimes," CAIR National and CAIR-Florida said in a joint statement. "Governor DeSantis knows full well that CAIR-Florida is an American civil rights organization that has spent decades advancing free speech, religious freedom, and justice for all, including for the Palestinian people. That's precisely why Governor DeSantis is targeting our civil rights group with this unconstitutional and defamatory proclamation."

CAIR plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday to announce details of its forthcoming lawsuit against the state of Florida.

— (@)

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How Florida Can Reform Property Taxes To Incentivize Young Families

States need not punish seniors, but tax policies must be structured in such a way so as not to freeze younger generations out of the market.

Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz stays open in huge win for Trump’s immigration agenda



Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz, a detention center established to expand bed capacity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been engaged in a persistent legal battle but achieved a significant victory on Thursday afternoon.

‘It is entirely unclear to us, moreover, how the district court concluded that it could order the proactive dismantling of the Facility by way of a mandatory preliminary injunction.’

Kathleen M. Williams, a federal judge in Miami, ruled last month that no additional detainees could be housed at Alligator Alcatraz and required it to be dismantled within 60 days.

In a 2-1 vote on Thursday, a panel of judges with the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta blocked Williams’ ruling to shut down the facility. The ruling allows the detention center to remain open.

Environmental groups have argued that the facility, which opened in July and is located in the Florida Everglades, should have been subject to federal environmental reviews.

However, Alligator Alcatraz is a state-operated facility, and Florida has not received federal reimbursements for its operation.

RELATED: Florida makes one thing absolutely clear after Obama judge orders teardown of Alligator Alcatraz

Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

“It is entirely unclear to us, moreover, how the district court concluded that it could order the proactive dismantling of the Facility by way of a mandatory preliminary injunction,” Judge Barbara Lagoa wrote for the majority. “It is wholly unreasonable to conclude from the naked assurances of politicians and lawyers that the Facility is federally funded when not only is the record devoid of credible evidence that a legally binding payment decision has been made, but the record undisputedly contradicts that finding.”

RELATED: Trump admin expands ICE detention space into notorious state prison

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called the latest ruling “a win for Florida and President Trump’s agenda!”

“The 11th Circuit not only blocked Judge Williams’ order to close Alligator Alcatraz, but they blocked her from proceeding with the case until the appeal is complete,” he wrote in a post on social media.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R) declared that the “mission continues at Alligator Alcatraz” and celebrated the overturned ruling of “leftist judge” Williams.

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'Give me a break': Gov. DeSantis fires back after illegal aliens make insane complaint about ICE



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) had viewers laughing after he addressed an obscure complaint from detainees at a federal detention center.

While in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the governor gave a joint press conference with newly appointed Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

DeSantis was talking about his state's finances when a reporter asked about detainees' rights at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement center named Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, Florida. The governor then revealed he had heard a wild complaint from the illegal immigrants there.

'Did they at least cut the crust off[?]'

"You know lawyers are not able to see their clients out there," the reporter claimed about the ICE facility. "What do you think, being a lawyer yourself and a JAG lawyer?" the reporter added, referring to DeSantis' time as legal adviser in the Navy.

The governor expressed disappointment in members of the media, who he said have been taking complaints from "criminal aliens" and "running with it" without verification. DeSantis even explained that despite claims detainees at Alligator Alcatraz are not fed well, they are actually "fed the same [food] that the staff is fed."

He continued, "But, like, in Florida prisons, do you think the prisoners get the same meals as the guards? No. Of course not. It's different. Everyone's the same there," DeSantis stressed.

The governor then recited a bizarre complaint allegedly made by some of the illegal aliens.

"They were mad that the ham sandwiches weren't toasted. Excuse me? I mean, give me a break."

RELATED: Alligator Alcatraz is a warning to illegal immigrants in the US: Leave now or end up here

Not only did the live audience of reporters laugh at DeSantis' recollection of the complaint, but viewers of the clip on X were equally as astonished.

"Did they at least cut the crust off the bread for these poor criminals?" one viewer on X replied.

Another viewer laughed and called it "ridiculous that these people are complaining."

A third viewer said he believed that the complaint was true based on New York City's migrant shelters, where residents had complained about the meals being served inside their luxury hotel.

RELATED: Florida police go full steam ahead with historic partnership to enforce federal immigration law

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For example, at the Row Hotel in New York City, migrants complained of rotten food and poor choices for their children.

However, Mayor Eric Adams claimed that the illegal aliens were being too picky about their food choices and preferred preparation styles from their regions of origin, i.e., Central and South America.

"People might have a different cultural taste for certain foods — we can't do that. We can only provide nutritional food for people," Adams said at the time, per NBC New York.

The New York Times also reported at the end of 2023 that the company providing meals to migrants had listed more than 70,000 meals as "wasted."

Of course, NYC taxpayers foot the bill for the wasted food costs, which were estimated to be around $39,000 per day.

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DeSantis has some serious political advice for Elon Musk to ensure a 'monumental impact'



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) offered Elon Musk some political advice following the business magnate's announcement that he is starting the "America Party," a new political party Musk claims will counter the "Republican/Democrat Uniparty" amid his ongoing feud with President Donald Trump.

During a Monday afternoon press conference, DeSantis stated, "I think Elon Musk has been one of the most innovative entrepreneurs, not just in our country's history, but probably in world history. And I think he's done a lot and has a lot more left in the tank, obviously."

'If somebody as significant as Elon wants to get in the game on that, he will have a, I think, very consequential impact.'

DeSantis praised Musk for his efforts in the 2024 election and for initiating the Department of Government Efficiency, a concept that the governor has also adopted at the state level to reduce Florida's budget.

While DeSantis noted that he is "a big fan" of Musk's cost-cutting efforts, he issued a serious warning about his third-party aspirations and offered some advice.

The governor explained that a third party would likely result in Democratic candidates winning elections, particularly if Musk plans to fund Senate and House candidates in competitive races.

"As it is now, even if somehow a third party could elect some people that were so-called fiscal conservatives, I don't think it would even move the needle even if they got elected," DeSantis said. "And we know that they wouldn't get elected because it's really one of two parties, so you're either just taking votes away from one side or the other."

RELATED: 'TRAIN WRECK': Trump blasts Elon Musk over anti-MAGA campaign, new 'moderate' party

Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images

He stated that the Republican Party is facing a significant issue with political candidates making promises on the campaign trail that they do not keep once elected, particularly regarding reining in the nation's out-of-control budget.

Instead, the Florida governor argued that Musk could have a "monumental impact" on the nation if he focused on working with state legislators to add a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution, which he noted could be done without congressional approval.

"I don't think just electing a few better people is going to change [the nation's] trajectory," DeSantis continued. "You need to do a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. You can do it through the states; you can do it through Article Five. We've got 28 states that have approved this. There's another four or five that are on the docket. Once you hit 34, then you write an amendment, and then the states are able to ratify that."

RELATED: The political future of Elon Musk

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The governor also called for Musk to push for term limits for members of Congress.

DeSantis stated that he is confident Musk would be successful in implementing these changes.

"That is achievable. And especially, if somebody as significant as Elon wants to get in the game on that, he will have a, I think, very consequential impact on that, and I think would be just the type that could bring this across the finish line," DeSantis remarked.

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'Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide': Florida will have 'Alligator Alcatraz' for illegal aliens up and running in days



The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Trump administration could restart deportations of illegal aliens to countries not their own. While this decision will speed up the mass deportation process, there remains a need for detention facilities.

To help satisfy this need, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) tasked state leaders with identifying places for a new facility. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier evidently had a good spot in mind.

Last week, Uthmeier made a public pitch in favor of "Alligator Alcatraz" — "an old, virtually abandoned airport facility" in the Everglades that could serve as "the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda."

The state attorney general noted that the 39-square-mile area, which "is completely surrounded by the Everglades," presents an "efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don't need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out and there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons — nowhere to go, nowhere to hide."

Uthmeier confirmed Monday that Alligator Alcatraz is a go.

The Department of Homeland Security told Blaze News that the Florida Division of Emergency Management will build a facility on the location that will house up to 5,000 beds for illegal aliens.

RELATED: Illegal alien suspected of wielding weed whacker at ICE agents is called a 'father' and 'victim' by local outlet

Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Florida law enforcement officers who capture under the 287(G) program — a program delegating specific immigration enforcement authority to state and local officers under the Immigration and Nationality Act — can dump detainees off at Alligator Alcatraz. ICE will similarly be able to transfer aliens to the Florida facility under 287(g) authority.

The DHS anticipates that the facility will be functional in a matter of days, initially with 500 to 1,000 beds, but ultimately 5,000 beds by early July, following expansions in several 500-bed increments.

Authorities might ultimately build hardened structures on the site, but for the time being, Alligator Alcatraz will largely be a tented destination.

While illegal aliens sweat it out in the soft-sided structures, Florida Division of Emergency Management workers will be housed in old Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers that have apparently been renovated.

'I'm proud to help support President Trump and Secretary Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all.'

"Under President Trump’s leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement to Blaze News. "We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida."

RELATED: Judge orders release of Kilmar Garcia — but DHS vows that 'he will never go free on American soil'

Image (left): Department of Homeland Security; Photo (right): Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Noem noted further that the new facilities "will in large part be funded by FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, which the Biden Administration used as a piggy bank to spend hundreds of millions of American taxpayer dollars to house illegal aliens, including at the Roosevelt Hotel that served as a Tren de Aragua base of operations that was used to shelter Laken Riley’s killer."

According to the DHS, the approximate cost of running the facility will be $245 per bed per day and an annual cost of $450 million. Florida will initially foot the bill but later receive reimbursement from FEMA, which has roughly $625 million in Shelter and Services Program funds available for this effort.

"I'm proud to help support President Trump and Secretary Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all," stated Uthmeier. "Alligator Alcatraz and other Florida facilities will do just that."

Hundreds of protesters traveled to the site of the future detention facility on Sunday to protest its construction, reported WGCU-TV. Their concerns largely appeared to be tied up with the potential environmental impact of the facility on supposedly "sacred" land.

Illegal immigrant advocates have similarly criticized the proposed facility albeit for difference reasons.

For instance, Mark Fleming, the associate director of federal litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center, told the New York Times that the move amounted to an "independent, unaccountable detention system."

"The fact that the administration and its allies would even consider such a huge temporary facility," said Fleming, "on such a short timeline, with no obvious plan for how to adequately staff medical and other necessary services, in the middle of the Florida summer heat is demonstrative of their callous disregard for the health and safety of the human beings they intend to imprison there."

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Florida sheriff makes clear to radicals that riots won't go their way: 'We will kill you'



Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey made abundantly clear to radicals during a press conference on Thursday that Florida handles rioters a whole lot differently than authorities on the West Coast, underscoring that violence will be met with violence, and the odds are not in radicals' favor.

Sheriff Ivey, flanked by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, noted at the outset that Americans are moving to the Sunshine State in record numbers, in part, "because they know their families will be safe here, their businesses will be safe. They won't have to contend with what we're seeing in places like Los Angeles and New York and Chicago."

Ivey indicated that this coveted safety is the result, in part, of Florida law enforcement's approach to crime and the state AG's support for law enforcement.

'We will be notifying one of your family members where to collect your remains.'

Uthmeier announced Thursday that violence and intimidation against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will not be tolerated and indicated he had directed the Florida Highway Patrol to partner with federal law enforcement to ensure that Florida-based federal agents doxxed by radicals have a direct line of communication with local FHP leadership. The Florida AG also instructed FHP to have troopers conduct routine welfare checks on doxxed agents' residences to ensure their safety and the safety of their families.

"Border Patrol and ICE agents enforcing immigration law deserve protection from leftists trying to harm them," Uthmeier said in a statement. "If the left doxxes these agents, we will have their backs. Whether you make the poor choice to riot or publish an agent’s personal information online to bring harm, you are committing a crime in Florida. We will find you and hold you accountable."

Sheriff Ivey noted that peaceful protest is welcome and "part of our democracy" and that peaceful protesters will enjoy the protection of law enforcement.

"If you let it turn violent, hoo," continued Ivey. "You do not want to do that in Brevard County."

RELATED: Kamala, Newsom, AOC outed: Leaked DHS memo claims they back violent illegal aliens over Americans ans

Photo by BENJAMIN HANSON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

"If you resist lawful orders, you're going to jail. Let me be very clear about that. If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail. If you flee arrest, you are going to go to jail tired because we are going to run you down," continued the sheriff. "If you try to mob-rule a car in Brevard County — gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave — in our county, you're most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street. If you spit on us, you are going to the hospital and then jail. If you hit one of us, you are going to the hospital and jail — and most likely, get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs."

Ivey kept working his way down his list of promises, adding, "If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying one of your family members where to collect your remains at because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We're not going to play."

'We must stand for law and order.'

The sheriff expressed disgust over the attacks on law enforcement further afield, especially the attacks on ICE agents in Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's California.

"Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully," said Ivey. "But don't you dare break the law."

There are a handful of "No Kings" uprisings planned for Saturday in Brevard County. The protests, championed by billionaire Walmart heiress Christy Walton and backed by numerous radical groups and NGOs, are billed as a "response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration."

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in an interview Tuesday that his state has taken a decidedly different approach to illegal aliens and leftist violence than California.

"California under [Newsom's] leadership is the Shangri-la of sanctuary states. They invite illegals in. They pay for their health care. They give them in-state tuition. Obviously, they don't cooperate with ICE, but they're taking it to a whole new level," said DeSantis. "The governor of California and the mayor — part of it's ineptitude, but part of it's by design — are actually siding with the people who are creating the unrest."

"We must stand for law and order," stated DeSantis.

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Huge ICE sweep busts 100+ illegal aliens at Florida worksites



President Donald Trump's administration, supercharged by Florida's strong partnership, achieved a significant victory on Thursday in the nation's ongoing effort to address former President Joe Biden's illegal immigration crisis.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement nabbed over 100 illegal aliens from construction worksites in Tallahassee, according to an agency press release.

'State law enforcement making a huge impact on immigration enforcement efforts.'

The operation involved several federal and state agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service. It also included ICE's Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations.

One suspect was accused of resisting arrest, and another allegedly pulled a weapon on officers during the intense raids, ICE stated.

RELATED: The DeSantis admin's plans to help President Trump expand capacity for deportations

Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A social media bulletin from HSI Tampa noted that some of the individuals who were detained had previously been deported or had criminal histories. Among those arrested were foreign nationals from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, and Honduras.

While the federal agency did not specify where the worksite raids occurred, HSI Tampa stated that one of the locations was a "major construction site."

Nicholas Ingegno, the assistant special agent in charge at HSI Tallahassee, stated, "These types of enforcement actions aim to eliminate illegal employment, holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for America's lawful workforce."

"HSI Tallahassee, working alongside our state, local, and federal partners, will continue protecting public safety by enforcing the immigration laws of our nation," Ingegno said.

Florida's partnership set a model for Republican-led states to boost federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who has pledged to support the Trump administration's deportation efforts, called the operation a "major bust."

"State law enforcement making a huge impact on immigration enforcement efforts," he wrote in a post on social media.

In a separate post, he added that the federal government is "pursuing the subcontractor responsible for hiring the illegal alien workers."

RELATED: ICE, Florida officers nab nearly 800 illegal aliens in ‘tidal wave’ dragnet

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced its support for the recent ICE operation.

"Florida leads the way," it stated. "We will not tolerate illegal immigration."

The recent operation delivered on border czar Tom Homan's December promise that the Trump administration would significantly increase ICE's worksite raids to clamp down on illegal immigration.

"We haven't really worked out the plan for worksite enforcement," he said at the time, adding, "We know that employers are going to be upset."

On Thursday, border czar Homan told "Face the Nation" that ICE will arrest illegal aliens in the community and at worksites, particularly when federal immigration authorities are blocked from accessing local jails.

When reached for comment, DeSantis' office referred Blaze News to the governor's posts on social media.

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DeSantis launches DOGE task force in Florida to gut 'bureaucratic bloat'



On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced that his administration is launching a state-level Department of Government Efficiency, stating that he took inspiration from the federal agency and Elon Musk's efforts to eliminate government waste.

He noted that the federal DOGE has used "artificial intelligence to be able to police the payments and the operations and the contracts," stating that he would like Florida to adopt similar strategies.

'Florida was DOGE before DOGE was cool.'

"Today, I am pleased to announce that we are launching a comprehensive initiative to continue to streamline our government, and to continue to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, and to continue to ensure tax dollars are used in the most efficient way possible," DeSantis stated on Monday. "We are creating a state DOGE task force that will implement a multiprong approach to eliminating bureaucratic bloat and modernizing our state government to best serve the people of Florida in the years ahead."

He explained that the state DOGE would exist for a one-year term and end upon the "completion of the mission."

DeSantis noted that his administration has already earmarked over 70 state boards and commissions for elimination.

The governor wrote in a post on X, "DOGE is coming to Florida! Since 2019, we've more than tripled the rainy day fund, eliminated 41% of the state's historical debt, and maintained the lowest number of state employees per capita in the entire country."

"But we need to do more: our state DOGE task force will use AI to amplify our efficiency efforts, spearhead audits at our state universities and tee up the elimination of more than 70 state boards and commissions," DeSantis continued.

"We will also be working with the Legislature to authorize the DOGE-ing of local governments."

DeSantis' executive order revealed that the state DOGE will be established within the Office of Policy and Budget in the Executive Office of the Governor.

It will be responsible for "using publicly available information to identify and report unnecessary spending within county and municipal governments," coordinating with other state agencies "to identify and eliminate unnecessary spending, programs, courses, staff, and any other inefficiencies within the State University System and the Florida College System," and "recommending legislative reforms to promote efficiency, maximize productivity, and eliminate waste in state and local government."

The governor's EO also directed "each state agency" to "establish an Agency DOGE Team."

"Florida was DOGE before DOGE was cool," DeSantis stated.

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Trump Is Draining The D.C. Swamp, But All 50 States Need To Pull The Plug Too

Voters must remain vigilant against the 50 state-level swamps and their lurking RINO Republicans.