'PRAISE GOD!' Florida defeats radicals' attempt to enshrine nearly limitless abortion as a right



A coalition comprising the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood, Florida Women's Freedom Coalition, and various other radical outfits campaigned to scrap legal protections for the unborn and effectively legalize late-term abortion through a constitutional amendment to Florida's Declaration of Rights.

They failed.

The voters had their say Tuesday and said "no" to Amendment 4.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who campaigned against the amendment, announced its defeat just after 8 p.m., prompting a flood of appreciative comments online as well as a meme from his press secretary depicting DeSantis lording over the Florida Democratic Party's symbolic grave.

At the time of publication, 88% of votes were in, and the amendment had netted less than 57.2% of the vote. 42.9% of voters opposed the amendment. 60% of the vote was needed for passage.

"Thank you, Florida!" tweeted Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis. "And God bless @GovRonDesantis!"

Christina Pushaw, an aide to DeSantis, wrote, "Florida makes history again. We have defeated the Soros-backed abortion amendment and the corporate-backed weed amendment."

'Amendment 4 is a radical, gruesome abortion policy that would allow abortion up to the moment of birth.'

It appears that the rest of the state was not nearly as keen on stripping unborn children of legal protections as the residents of Broward, Leon, Orange, and Palm Beach Counties.

Had the ballot measure secured the 60% of the vote needed to pass, the people's democratically elected representatives would be prohibited from passing any law banning, penalizing, delaying, or restricting abortion "before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider."

Critics noted that the wording of the amendment was intentionally vague, setting the stage for virtually unrestricted abortion in the Sunshine State.

Taryn Fenske, a spokeswoman for the group that fought the amendment to the end, Vote No on Amendment 4, previously told Blaze News that the reason for the amendment's "misleading language" was "because the Soros-backed radicals pushing Amendment 4 know that they need to conceal the shocking reality of how their scheme would endanger women and children in Florida."

Amendment 4 would also have undone the Heartbeat Protection Act, which bans the slaying of unborn babies after six weeks of pregnancy, unless the mother is a victim of rape, incest, or human trafficking; the mother's life is in danger; or the baby has a fatal fetal abnormality.

Since the amendment has failed, the Heartbeat Protection Act remains the law of the land.

Liz Wheeler, host of BlazeTV's "The Liz Wheeler Show," previously told Blaze News, "Amendment 4 is a radical, gruesome abortion policy that would allow abortion up to the moment of birth. This means big, healthy, full-term babies would be aborted for any reason."

"Amendment 4 is dishonestly presented as allowing abortion 'just' until viability — but what is viability?" continued Wheeler. "The term viability is not defined in the legislation, and viability is not a scientific or ethical concept about when a human life begins anyway, but simply a term that defines, on a moving scale as medical knowledge advances, our capacity to keep that baby alive outside the womb before the baby reaches full term."

'Tens of thousands of babies will now be saved.'

DeSantis said in August, "If you care about building a culture of life in this state or this country, them winning in Florida, I think, really represents the end of the pro-life movement."

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned the amendment, calling it "an extreme proposal that legalizes full-term abortion with no protections for the preborn child."

"We urge all Floridians of goodwill to stand against the legalization of late-term abortion and oppose the abortion amendment," continued the bishops' statement. "In doing so, we will not only protect the weakest, most innocent, and defenseless of human life among us but also countless women throughout the state from the harms of abortion."

As it became clear early on Tuesday that Amendment 4 would fail, CatholicVote noted on X, "Huge win for Ron DeSantis. Huge win for life."

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami told Blaze News in advance that the defeat of Amendment 4 "would be a tremendous victory for Life and the rights of the unborn."

"Tens of thousands of babies will now be saved because Florida's Amendment 4 failed," tweeted Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life. "PRAISE GOD!"

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Biden seems to keep trolling Harris, demonstrating that she's an empty vessel



Kamala Harris is doing her best to appear large and in charge in the final weeks before the election. President Joe Biden no longer appears interested in helping her maintain the illusion.

Harris recently made a stink about her inability to work with authorities in Florida on hurricane relief efforts. Within hours, Biden announced that he was in touch with Gov. Ron DeSantis and ready to succeed where his former running mate had failed.

While Biden's team maintains that the president wants Harris to succeed, this turn of events amounts to yet another signal that Harris' boss is at the very least subconsciously working to sabotage her.

Telephone tag

The Biden-Harris administration's response to Hurricane Helene has largely been a catastrophe. Apparently keen for a clean slate and a second chance, Harris set her sights on Florida, where Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

A White House official told CNN that Harris has been unsuccessfully attempting to get in touch with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss storm preparation and recovery.

'It's not about you, Kamala.'

On Monday, Harris suggested that DeSantis was engaged in politics as opposed to crisis management.

"Moments of crisis, if nothing else, should really be the moment that anyone who calls themselves a leader says they're going to put politics aside and put the people first," said Harris, evidently enraged by her alleged ghosting.

"People are in desperate need of support right now, and playing political games at this moment, in these crisis situations — these are the height of emergency situations — is just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish, and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is putting the people first," added Harris.

DeSantis, who has been in contact with Federal Emergency Management Director Deanne Criswell, said in an interview Monday that while Harris has been griping about missed calls, he has been hard at work "helping people prepare for Hurricane Helene, helping effectuate rescues of people after Hurricane Helene, helping people pick up the pieces of their lives after Helene, and then have to also turn around and prepare for major impacts and maybe even more impacts from Hurricane Milton."

"My focus has not been on dealing with Kamala Harris," continued the governor. "I didn't know she tried to contact me, but I'd also say, it's not about you, Kamala."

DeSantis stressed that whereas Trump and Biden have refrained from politicizing storms in past years, Kamala Harris has apparently chosen now as the first time to call — "to parachute in and inject herself when she's never shown any interest in the past."

A call worth taking

Amid the kerfuffle, Biden announced that DeSantis had taken his call — a signal that notwithstanding his decrepitude, Biden was still running the show.

'He's def voting for Trump.'

"Tonight, I spoke with Florida Governor DeSantis and Tampa Mayor [Jane] Castor for firsthand reports on Hurricane Helene recovery and preparations for Hurricane Milton," Biden wrote on X. "My Administration is ready to support both leaders and the people of Florida with any further resources they may need."

Whereas in the past, Biden has emphatically used the term "Biden-Harris administration," there were no traces of the vice president in the president's messaging.

Biden added, "I also spoke with National Weather Service Director Ken Graham regarding the expected impacts of Hurricane Milton for the state of Florida. I urge all those in the storm's path to evacuate now while it is safe to do so."

Christina Pushaw, an aide to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), noted Tuesday, "Governor DeSantis & President Biden spoke last night. There is a chain of command when it comes to disaster response, which Florida is very familiar with. VP Harris is not part of that chain of command; the President is. If Harris doesn't understand that, she isn't prepared."

Pushaw also retweeted the following message: "For all of your losers saying @GovRonDeSantis was playing politics, he spoke to the ACTUAL POTUS. Have a seat."

Trolling

Keen observers concluded on the basis of the timing and phrasing of the post that Biden, who just weeks ago donned a red Trump 2024 hat, is "just trolling Kamala at this point."

Charles Cooke, senior editor at the National Review, noted, "Harris under the bus."

One user quipped, "He's def voting for Trump."

DeSantis' call with Biden amounts to another messaging defeat for the Harris campaign, which is desperate for Harris to take starring roles before the election.

Harris aides recently suggested to CNN that they want Biden out of the picture so that Harris won't be seen running as an extension of the president. When, for instance, Biden went to North Carolina last week to survey the damage, Harris' allies felt she was robbed of an opportunity to make her presence known in a state she stands a good chance of losing.

Harris was also looking forward to taking center stage when Biden jets off to Germany; however, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre revealed Tuesday afternoon that Biden will instead be hanging around "in order to oversee preparations for and the response to Hurricane Milton."

Biden has also been torpedoing Harris' effort to distance herself from the current administration's failures.

During Harris' debate with Trump, she apparently enjoyed a boost when she said, "Clearly, I am not Joe Biden."

Biden kindly responded last week by emphasizing, "She was a major player in everything we've done."

"She's been, and her staff is interlocked with mine in terms of all the things we're doing," added Biden.

Despite the appearance that Biden is setting trip wires for the woman who unceremoniously replaced him, one of the president's senior advisers claimed, "The president is all in to help get the vice president elected."

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Florida media laments as state bridges won't shine rainbow-colored lights for Pride Month 2024



For the past three years, the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay dedicated one week in June to LGBTQ+ activism, displaying rainbow-colored as well as blue and pink "transgender" lights in homage to Pride Month. This year, however, no state bridge, not even the Skyway, will have Pride-themed lights, making several Florida media outlets very upset.

Recent headlines from the Sunshine State reveal just how devoted some media outlets are to the LGBTQ+ agenda. "Lights on Skyway Bridge won’t show rainbow colors for Pride Month. Why?" the Tampa Bay Times asked pointedly. "No rainbow lights: Sunshine Skyway Bridge goes dark for Pride 2024," bemoaned WFLA. FOX13 likewise mourned the loss of the "vibrant lights" of Pride this year.

'Pride is the prime example of what patriotism is, the release of government tyranny.'

Only the bridges will still have "vibrant lights." Florida officials have dedicated summer 2024 to America, calling it "Freedom Summer," and have decided to have red, white, and blue lights shining on all state bridges to celebrate it.

"As Floridians prepare for Freedom Summer, Florida's bridges will follow suit, illuminating in red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day!" Florida Secretary of Transportation Jared Perdue posted to X last week.

As Floridians prepare for Freedom Summer, Florida's bridges will follow suit, illuminating in red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day!

Thanks to the leadership of @GovRonDeSantis, Florida continues to be the freest state in the nation. https://t.co/FG892hO5zE pic.twitter.com/SBvxzr4ACk
— Jared W. Perdue, P.E. (@FDOT_Secretary) May 8, 2024

For the change in policy regarding the Skyway's lights, the Tampa Bay Times and other outlets blamed one individual: Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn. According to an email from Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop dated February 13, Rahn disapproved "lighting of the Skyway for Pride Month or National Gun Violence Awareness Day."

As Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties must approve all Skyway light requests, Rahn's vote against the Pride lights has been considered the deciding factor, though he denies that it was. In a statement to the Times this week, Rahn said, "I do not have the authority to override the governor of the state of Florida. However, in my opinion, the lighting of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a FDOT matter and should not be left with to the individual counties."

Byron Green-Calisch, president of St. Pete Pride, said he was "disheartened" by the loss of Pride lights this year. "Pride is the prime example of what patriotism is, the release of government tyranny," Green-Calisch said.

"To have a place to live free, where every man and woman is created equal and imbued with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When I say I’m patriotic, that’s what I mean."

Because Freedom Summer lasts all summer long, state bridges in Florida will not have light shows to mark other days or weeks previously dedicated to Juneteenth, mental health awareness, autism awareness, sickle cell awareness, or ovarian cancer awareness.

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DeSantis signs measures targeting child predators



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation meant to protect minors by targeting child predators.

One of the measures will establish a program to provide law enforcement with grants to conduct online sting operations.

"There is created within the department the Online Sting Operations Grant Program to award grants to local law enforcement agencies to support their creation of sting operations to target individuals online preying upon children or attempting to do so," the measure reads. "The department shall annually award to local law enforcement agencies any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to computers, electronics, software, and other related necessary supplies."

— (@)

Another measure the governor signed declares it to be a third-degree felony for an adult to send sexual communications to a minor.

"An adult who engages in a pattern of communication to a minor that includes explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual activity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement and that is harmful to minors commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084," the text declares. "A person's ignorance of a minor's age, a minor's misrepresentation of his or her age, a bona fide belief of a minor's age, or a minor's consent may not be raised as a defense in a prosecution for a violation of this section."

A Wednesday tweet on the @GovRonDeSantis X account declares, "Today I signed legislation to ensure grooming and other child-directed sexual offenses are punished severely. I will always stand to protect the innocence of children."

"Thank you, @GovRonDeSantis, for protecting innocent children from predatory abuse and sexual exploitation," Florida first lady Casey DeSantis said in a tweet.

— (@)

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Some respond with vile comments after Casey DeSantis shares photo of old oak tree that went down at the Florida Governor's Mansion



Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis, indicated that a 100-year-old tree went down at the Florida Governor's Mansion. She noted that she was at home with her three children at the time, but nobody was hurt.

"100 year old oak tree falls on the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee — Mason, Madison, Mamie and I were home at the time, but thankfully no one was injured. Our prayers are with everyone impacted by the storm," she wrote to caption a photo of the tree.

— (@)

When asked about the fallen tree, the governor said that his wife had called and informed him that the old tree split in half. He said he didn't know that the tree "fell on, like, the residence per se," noting that he thought it had been a "little bit off to the side."

— (@)

The Sunshine State was just hit by Hurricane Idalia, and Ron DeSantis, who is running in the Republican presidential primary, has warned against looting. "You never know what's behind that door," he said, suggesting that looters could encounter individuals who can "defend themselves and their families."

Many people responded to Casey DeSantis' post by noting that they were glad nobody had been hurt.

"Thank God everyone is okay. @GovRonDeSantis is away working around the clock for the people of Florida while a tree is laying on his home. Praying for all impacted by the storm," DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier wrote.

But some commenters spewed venom in response to Casey DeSantis' post.

Someone suggested the tree "should have fallen on you and meatball."

"Idalia left a warning for Satan DeSantis," another response read.

"When even mother natures hates your husband," another individual wrote.

"I think this is the sign you've been waiting for Casey. Your campaign is broken. God does not like Ron," someone else wrote.

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Newsom vs. DeSantis: The California and Florida governors will apparently face off during a debate moderated by Sean Hannity



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have both said that they are willing to debate each other.

While interviewing Newsom earlier this year, conservative commentator Sean Hannity of the Fox News Channel said that he wanted to moderate a debate between the two governors. "I'm all in," Newsom said in response to Hannity's proposal.

DeSantis, who is currently running in the Republican presidential primary, said on Wednesday's episode of "Hannity" that he is willing to debate Newsom. "Absolutely, I'm game," DeSantis stated.

— (@)

The Sunshine State governor has been polling in a distant second place in the GOP presidential primary, far behind former President Donald Trump, who remains the clear frontrunner.

A letter last week that was apparently from Newsom's camp laid out a debate proposal indicating that the debate moderated by Hannity would air live on Fox News, be 90 minutes long, and not have a live audience. The letter offered Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina as location options and said that Newsom could be available for the event on November 8 or November 10.

— (@)

Newsom has expressed a desire to debate DeSantis previously as well.

"Hey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you're struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people's lives. Since you have only one overriding need -- attention --let's take this up & debate. I'll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day," Newsom tweeted last year.

— (@)

The first Republican presidential primary debate is scheduled for August 23, but Trump has indicated that he may not participate in the event.

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DeSantis signs bill to ban public Florida colleges from funding DEI programs



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that includes a provision to ban public colleges from shelling out state or federal funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

"A Florida College System institution, state university, Florida College System institution direct-support organization, or state university direct-support organization may not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities," which "Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion or promote or engage in political or social activism," the measure states.

"General education core courses may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics ... or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities," the measure states.

During remarks, DeSantis suggested that DEI would be more appropriately described as meaning "discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination."

DeSantis signs bill to defund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in public colleges: Remarks youtu.be

While DeSantis has not announced a White House bid, he is widely expected to mount a 2024 presidential run soon.

The governor's press secretary Bryan Griffin has announced that he is stepping down, and Fox News Digital reported that Griffin is moving to serve as press secretary within DeSantis' political operation.

"I believe that Governor DeSantis is the only leader who can see us to victory at this critical moment in American history. Because of this, I am stepping away from this role to pursue other avenues of helping to deliver the governor's success to our country. If I can be even a small part of the revival and restoration of our great nation, then I am prepared to give it my all," Griffin wrote.

\u201cIt has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Press Secretary for the Florida Office of @GovRonDeSantis. Thank you!\u201d
— Bryan Griffin (@Bryan Griffin) 1684172229

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DeSantis press secretary steps down 'to pursue other avenues of helping to deliver the governor's success to our country'



Bryan Griffin announced that he is stepping down from his role as press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The announcement comes amid widespread anticipation that the Sunshine State's GOP governor may soon launch a 2024 White House bid.

Fox News Digital has reported that Griffin is stepping down to instead serve as press secretary for DeSantis' political operation.

"All of these things that Governor DeSantis has accomplished in Florida can be replicated nationwide. However, our nation is currently burdened with historic challenges," Griffin wrote. "The challenges can be overcome, and America is worth the fight. I believe that Governor DeSantis is the only leader who can see us to victory at this critical moment in American history. Because of this, I am stepping away from this role to pursue other avenues of helping to deliver the governor's success to our country. If I can be even a small part of the revival and restoration of our great nation, then I am prepared to give it my all."

Griffin described DeSantis as "a true and principled conservative" who "ensures that the people around him understand and personally hold the principles and values he leads by," which "ensures the success of his objectives."


\u201cIt has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Press Secretary for the Florida Office of @GovRonDeSantis. Thank you!\u201d
— Bryan Griffin (@Bryan Griffin) 1684172229


If DeSantis does throw his hat into the ring during the Republican presidential primary, he will be going up against former President Donald Trump and multiple other figures who have already announced presidential bids.

Trump, who has been taking shots at DeSantis, has referred to him as "DeSanctimonious" and "DeSanctus." Trump has suggested that the governor "needs a personality transplant."

\u201cRon DeSanctimonious needs a PERSONALITY TRANSPLANT!\u201d
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022)) 1683904721

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DeSantis admin slams Andrea Mitchell for 'blatant lie' and subsequent 'non-apology,' vows to shun NBCUniversal interview requests



While interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris last week, Andrea Mitchell inaccurately claimed that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that kids should not be taught about slavery or its aftermath in schools — but on Wednesday's episode of MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports," Mitchell said that she had been "imprecise" when discussing the governor's stance regarding the teaching of slavery.

She said that DeSantis is not against schools teaching about slavery. But Mitchell said the governor "has opposed the teaching of an African-American studies curriculum" and the utilization of "some authors" as well as "source materials that historians" and "teachers say makes it all but impossible for students to understand the broader historic and political context behind slavery and its aftermath."

\u201c@mitchellreports Saying one was "imprecise," when what they said was a blatant lie, is not an apology.\n\n@MSNBC /@NBCNews should not be viewed as an objective media organization. Stop letting the corporate media be the gatekeepers of truth.\nhttps://t.co/rGj7uc8kEm\u201d
— Jeremy Redfern (@Jeremy Redfern) 1677090768

Minutes after Mitchell's comments aired, DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin noted on Twitter that the governor's administration will be declining media requests from NBCUniversal-related outlets until Mitchell apologizes for claiming that DeSantis opposed schools teaching about slavery.

"To all of the bookers and producers reaching out to our office from @NBCNews and @MSNBC for @GovRonDeSantis to join your shows, this will be the standard response from our office until @mitchellreports apologizes and your track record improves," Griffin tweeted.

He shared a screenshot of a message in which he declared: "I think we need to take a step back. There will be no consideration of anything related to NBC Universal or its affiliates until and at least Andrea Mitchell corrects the blatant lie she made about the governor '[Governor DeSantis] says that slavery and the aftermath of slavery should not be taught to Florida schoolchildren'—this is false), and NBC and it's affiliates display a consistent track record of truthful reporting. Please feel free to pass this up and around the network."

Griffin described Mitchell's Wednesday remarks as "a typical non-apology response that doubles down on the original lie."

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Libs of TikTok creator says Ron DeSantis offered to let her stay at the Florida governor's mansion when she was doxxed



Chaya Raichik, who created the Libs of TikTok Twitter account, said that when she was doxxed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had someone from his team reach out to offer to allow her and her family to stay at the governor's mansion.

Raichik said that the individual indicated that DeSantis wanted to convey a message to Raichik that she and her family could stay at the governor's mansion at a guest house for as long as necessary.

"I was almost in tears," Raichik said of the offer from the Florida governor, noting that she is "so grateful."

Raichik made the comments while speaking to Fox News' Tucker Carlson during an interview on "Tucker Carlson Today."

"I recently got the opportunity to thank @GovRonDeSantis in person," Raichik noted in a tweet on the Libs of TikTok Twitter account. "He was so gracious. Brushed it off. He said 'of course! You do great work!' It wasn't even a question for him. Genuinely a kindhearted person."

DeSantis, a popular conservative figure who won reelection during the Sunshine State's 2022 gubernatorial contest, is widely viewed as someone who could potentially run for president, though the governor has not announced plans to pursue a White House bid.

\u201cI recently got the opportunity to thank @GovRonDeSantis in person. He was so gracious. Brushed it off. He said \u201cof course! You do great work!\u201d It wasn\u2019t even a question for him. Genuinely a kindhearted person.\u201d
— Libs of TikTok (@Libs of TikTok) 1672164367

The Libs of TikTok account exposes the musings and activity of the radical left, often by reposting videos that leftists have posted on TikTok.

"Posting publicly available videos isn't harmful, hateful or dangerous. You know what is harmful though? Confusing kids about their identity, stealing childhood innocence, exposing kids to adult sexual entertainment, giving kids porn in school, and sterilizing and mutilating kids," a tweet on the Libs of TikTok page notes.

\u201cPosting publicly available videos isn\u2019t harmful, hateful or dangerous. You know what is harmful though? Confusing kids about their identity, stealing childhood innocence, exposing kids to adult sexual entertainment, giving kids porn in school, and sterilizing and mutilating kids.\u201d
— Libs of TikTok (@Libs of TikTok) 1672099094