Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has garnered more criticism after his appearance at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa. Numerous conservative speakers took to the stage, but the event gained controversy because a group of Neo-Nazis waved flags outside of the event. In response, a slew of Democrats have called on Gov. DeSantis to denounce the nazis.
Immediately after news coverage reported the protestors, Democrats from across the state released statements aimed against Governor DeSantis.
Gubernatorial hopeful Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) condemned "the reprehensible anti-Semitic hate and neo-Nazi demonstrations on display this weekend," saying that they "have no place anywhere in our state."
"Over the last year, Florida has seen a rise in anti-Semitic hate - anti-Semitic flyers left at hundreds of Florida homes, neo-nazi demonstrations in Orlando, and now neo-nazi flags waving outside a prominent Republican convention," Crist said, adding that "to date there's been little to no response or condemnation from Governor Ron DeSantis."
"It's reprehensible," Crist affirmed.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) also released a statement, taking to social media to share her disappointment.
"Because Ron DeSantis never forcefully condemns the Neo-Nazis who show up outside of his speeches, I will," she said, adding that she was "headed to Tampa this afternoon to stand where they stood yesterday to tell them that antisemitism, hate speech, and delusions of white supremacy are not welcome in Florida."
Florida Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D) also criticized the Governor, writing on social media, "I can't think of a single Florida politician, regardless of party, who wouldn't immediately condemn Nazis celebrating and rallying in support of them... not one politician, except our own Gov. Ron DeSantis."
Smith further commented that DeSantis' "silence should terrify every American - and it's not the first time."
"Every Floridian should be appalled and outraged at Governor DeSantis' silence and indifference to this hate," Smith warned.
