"Florida is #1." —Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In his inauguration address, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wowed the Republican faithful, invoking thoughts of former President Ronald Reagan, and checking off all the “Free State of Florida” boxes.
Sounded very presidential, and considering how tight security was at the swearing-in, not to mention First Lady Casey DeSantis looking very Jackie-O-Esque, Gov. DeSantis’s speech and event were seen by many attendees as the Governor putting former President Donald Trump on notice.
@GovRonDeSantis and family make their entrance #inauguration #FlPol pic.twitter.com/dTshmK5CSY
— Javier Manjarres (@JavManjarres) January 3, 2023
Gov. DeSantis hit on all the “Florida First” and “Free State of Florida” talking points, delivering the much anticipated conservative red meat attendees were expected to hear.
DeSantis did not disappoint.
“From the Space Coast to the Suncoast, from St. Johns to St. Lucie, from the streets of Hialeah to the speedways of Daytona, from the Okeechobee all the way up to Micanopy. Freedom lives here, in our great Sunshine State of Florida,” said DeSantis as he opened his address.
DeSantis continued highlighting his legislative and political victories, emphasizing that “Florida was “#1” in the country at just about everything.
“We are #1 in these United States in net in-migration. Florida is the #1 fastest-growing state. We are #1 in new business formations. Florida is #1 in tourism. We are #1 in economic freedom. Florida is #1 in education freedom. And we rank #1 in parental involvement in education. Florida also ranks #1 in public higher education. This is a record we can all be proud of. And we are far from done” added DeSantis.
We reject this woke ideology.
We seek normalcy, not philosophical lunacy!
We will not allow reality, facts, and truth to become optional.
We will never surrender to the woke mob.
Florida is where woke goes to die!—Gov. Ron DeSantis
Without using the terms “groomers” or “drag queen shows,” DeSantis levied sharp criticism at individuals he believe are trying to “rob” children “of their innocence.
“Florida must always be a great place to raise a family – we will enact more family-friendly policies to make it easier to raise children and we will defend our children against those who seek to rob them of their innocence,” said DeSantis.
Just about all of Florida’s Republican political universe was in attendance, as were some national media personalities, including Fox News contributors Katie Pavlich and Lisa Boothe.
Here are images of the unprecedented security surrounding DeSantis’s inauguration.
Notice the rooftop snipers.
The security at @GovRonDeSantis inauguration is presidential level. There are snipers on top of the Capitol Hmmm? #FlPol pic.twitter.com/92X2KukGhm
— Javier Manjarres (@JavManjarres) January 3, 2023
