Moody Highlights Idalia Recovery, Contrasts with Massachusetts

Florida Attorney General (AG) Ashley Moody appeared on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria to discuss Hurricane Idalia recovery work, highlighting how communities came together to aid one another and Governor Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) oversight compared to that of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's (D) handling of the migrant crisis, where she called in the National Guard to assist in housing migrants.

AG Moody called the rapid restoration of power to thousands of homes and a single death attributed to the storm "really a miracle" and the cooperation of residents to rebuild "so inspirational." One specific instance she mentioned was a store giving residents waterproof boots away they could choose to pay back later.

"Everybody is just pitching in and helping one another," said AG Moody, "You've got the National Guard, law enforcement from all over the state in these communities helping out. It was a sight to be seen, and really, the recovery effort demonstrated our Governor's focus and determination to make sure we recover quickly."

Mornings guest New York City Councilman Joe Brawley asked Moody what she expected President Biden's visit to Florida to be like. Brawley suggested it would be more about rehabilitating his image after his late arrival to Maui after their wildfires. 

While Moody expressed gratitude for the White House's declaration of a major disaster, "This week is a demonstration of a tale of two states right now."

"This week is a demonstration of a tale of two states right now. You have our Governor, who is dealing with a natural disaster. Storm surge is in places that we have never seen. And you've got another Governor in Massachusetts that declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard this week for a crisis created by our own President," Moody continued, asking if President Biden would visit Massachusetts.

The discussion then turned to Gov. DeSantis's "you loot, we shoot" remark delivered at a press conference in Perry County. Moody reiterated her own comments from the conference that Florida is a "law and order state" and that "we hold people accountable," especially when they could interfere in recovery efforts for first responders.

"This is a way that Florida stands out from other states around the nation. We hold people accountable, and we enforce the law. It is very easy to do if you are committed to it. And I would suggest other leaders and other states take a look at how they are approaching criminal justice. They might see the strength of their cities and their states improve," Moody concluded.