A group of U.S. investors led by BlackRock has agreed to acquire majority stakes in two key ports at either end of the Panama Canal, which was previously controlled by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. The $22.8 billion deal, which includes dozens of other ports worldwide, comes amid heightened concerns from the Trump administration over China's alleged influence in the region.

The acquisition addresses national security fears raised by President Donald Trump (R) and other U.S. officials who argue that China’s involvement in the Panama Canal is a threat.

The two terminals—Balboa on the Pacific side and Cristóbal on the Atlantic—handled 40% of all container traffic passing through the canal in 2024.

Since coming into office, President Trump has repeatedly expressed concerns that China could restrict American-bound shipping, and in recent months, he even suggested taking military control of the canal, arguing that the U.S. “foolishly gave it away.”

With the deal now in place, state Senator Nick DiCeglie (R) championed the decision, emphasizing its significance for U.S. foreign policy.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was asked about deal shortly after his 2025 State of the State address in Tallahassee.

“I think strategically getting China out of there is good. It’s good for the United States,” he affirmed Citing that it would’ve otherwise helped China “gain a strategic advantage over the United States,” the state senator added that “anytime we can reverse those trends, especially in the Panama Canal, it is good for American foreign policy.”

CK Hutchison, a global port operator controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing, had faced pressure from U.S. and Panamanian officials to divest from the Panama ports. Though the company initially considered legal action to resist external pressure, the offer from BlackRock was ultimately too lucrative to decline. It earned CK Hutchison an estimated $19 billion in cash after adjustments for minority interests.

The deal is part of a broader geopolitical effort by the U.S. to limit China's global reach in strategic shipping routes. Panama, which had previously joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has since withdrawn from the program and is working to ensure the neutrality of its critical infrastructure.

The post BlackRock Reaches Panama Canal Deal appeared first on The Floridian.

As Miami Beach Pride prepares to return from March 27^th to April 6^th, 2025, past controversies surrounding political participation in the event have resurfaced. State Rep. Fabian Basabe (R) is now speaking out about his experience at Miami Beach Pride 2024, claiming he was excluded from the event due to political bias.

In a social media post regarding Pride 2024, state Rep. Basabe criticized the decision to label him a “security concern,” arguing that it was a result of coordinated political activism.

“My exclusion from the Miami Beach Pride Parade shows lack of engagement and inclusion by those who demand inclusion,” he wrote in a social media post from 2024. “This is dangerous for our community, especially our children. What kind of example are we setting, when we show them that unless they check a specific box, they have no voice?”

Though state Rep. Basabe wasn’t formally invited to participate in the he event, he instead attended as a spectator, engaging with the crowd. He alleged that Equality Florida, a nonprofit organization that receives taxpayer funding, had activists at the 2023 event distributing false information about him and agitating the crowd to create a manufactured security issue.

The controversy has prompted a response from Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who has written a resolution encouraging Miami Beach Pride to allow full participation from all elected officials. Similarly, Commissioner Alex Fernandez Suarez introduced a resolution to address what state Rep. Basabe calls "selective exclusion based on political bias."

He also noted that only after Commissioner Suarez’s resolution did Miami Beach Pride extend a last-minute invitation, which he says further exposes their "hypocrisy and partisan maneuvering."

“Nonprofits benefiting from taxpayer dollars should not be allowed to operate as ‘private clubs’ that pick and choose participation based on political alignment,” he said in an exclusive statement to The Floridian.

As the 2025 Miami Beach Pride event draws nearer, the discussion surrounding political participation applies pressure to organizers to clarify their stance on inclusivity in what is supposed to be a celebration of diversity and unity.

The post Fabian Basabe Calls out Miami Beach Pride Over Exclusion appeared first on The Floridian.

The Trump Administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 500,000 Venezuelans has sparked outrage among South Florida lawmakers and activists who argue that sending exiles back to Nicolás Maduro’s regime will only worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis, while experts argue this would increase migration.

Repatriation flights to Venezuela resumed on February 10th, raising concerns about broader U.S. policy towards Venezuela.

Many Republicans are calling for a return to the "maximum pressure" strategy that President Donald Trump (R) promoted during his first term. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Clever-Carone have voiced a similar hardline approach, but critics argue that returning to the “maximum pressure” approach would only cripple the Venezuelan economy without achieving regime change.

Doral Vice Mayor Maureen Porras, who's expressed disagreement with ending TPS, believes that the U.S. should continue to "apply pressure" while noting the complexity of the situation.

"The most recent pressure campaign was not effective in getting political change in Venezuela, but neither was the easing of sanctions," Vice Mayor Porras told The Floridian in an exclusive interview. "Regardless, we should continue to apply the pressure on Venezuela."

University of Colorado economist Francisco Rodriguez found that reinstating maximum pressure sanctions could drive 1 million more Venezuelans to flee over the next five years. His study further suggests that 4 million Venezuelans would have remained in their country had U.S. sanctions not been imposed.

Rodriguez, in a recent op-ed for The Hill, argued that returning to the strategy “would do nothing more than punish millions of Venezuelans who should not bear the burden for Maduro’s atrocities.”

“Rather than weaken Maduro,” Rodriguez wrote in the op-ed, “sanctions have strengthened his position, enabling his concentration of power and consolidation of ties with America’s adversaries. As U.S. companies have exited Venezuela, they have been replaced by actors from China, Russia and Iran, further entrenching Maduro’s regime and reducing U.S. influence in the region.”

Similarly, Venezuelan professor Luis Pedro España warns that resuming oil-related sanctions could dramatically increase poverty, echoing the conditions from 2017 to 2020, when 94% of Venezuelans lived in poverty and 2.5 million households fell into economic despair.

Florida Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R), Mario Diaz-Balart (R), Maria Elvira Salazar (R), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), and Weston Commissioner Fabio Andrade are among the locals who also disagree with ending TPS.

Rep. Gimenez has urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure Venezuelans fleeing communism receive protection, emphasizing that not all Venezuelans should be stigmatized due to criminal elements like the Tren de Aragua gang. Rep. Diaz-Balart has similarly pressed Secretary Noem to prevent the forced return of Venezuelans without criminal records to a "repressive dictatorship."

"The majority of Americans agree on the need to secure our borders and to remove immigrants that are breaking the law and are burdening our systems," Vice Mayor Porras told The Floridian. "Passing the Venezuelan Adjustment Act would help fix temporary solutions like TPS by providing law abiding Venezuelans already in the U.S. a path to permanent residency," she added.

The post Trump Administration Revoking TPS for Venezuelans Sparks Outrage Among Lawmakers appeared first on The Floridian.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers composed of Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) and Florida Representatives Jared Moskowitz (D), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D), and Mario Díaz-Balart (R), has introduced the Single Application for School Safety Act (SASS) to improve access to federal school safety resources.

The bill promises to cut bureaucratic red tape by streamlining the application process for school safety grants. Instead of requiring multiple, complex applications, the bill mandates a single submission to the Department of Justice (DOJ), making it easier for schools and law enforcement agencies to secure funding for security enhancements.

These federal grants would provide critical funding for safety measures such as security cameras, door locks, intercom systems, and anonymous threat reporting platforms, ensuring that schools have the resources necessary to protect students and teachers.

In a statement, Rep. Díaz-Balart emphasized the importance of making school safety grants more accessible. "Ensuring school safety remains a top priority for our country. Applying for a school safety grant should not be difficult,” he said, adding that “to streamline the process and reduce bureaucratic delays, I, alongside my colleague Rep. Moskowitz, introduced the SASS Act."

The bill has drawn bipartisan support as lawmakers across party lines acknowledge the need to prioritize school security while ensuring federal resources are efficiently distributed.

Rep. Moskowitz, a strong advocate for school safety reforms, has pushed for measures to enhance security and emergency response protocols in schools nationwide. The SASS Act aligns with his other legislative efforts, such as the EAGLES Act and the Measures for Safer School Districts Act, which focus on improving school safety infrastructure and crisis intervention training.

With increasing concerns over school violence, lawmakers are hopeful that this bipartisan initiative will receive swift approval in the House, eventually making its wat to President Donald Trump’s (R) desk.

The post Dìaz-Balart, Moskowitz Introduce School Safety Act appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) is calling on Congress to act on school safety ahead of the seventh anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. In a message to supporters, he emphasized the need for commonsense bipartisan reforms to protect students and educators from school violence.

In his message, Rep. Moskowitz stressed that the federal government has failed to take adequate action to prevent similar tragedies.

"There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t remember the fourteen students and three staff we lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—students and staff whose lives never should have been at risk just for walking into their school on Valentine’s Day," he shared in his message.

The Florida Democrat criticized the House for its lack of urgency on school safety and reaffirmed his commitment to breaking the cycle of inaction. As a response to the pressing issue, Rep. Moskowitz introduced a package of bipartisan measures aimed at strengthening school security, emergency response systems, and student safety resources.

Rep. Moskowitz's legislative package includes the following bills:

The Measures for Safer School Districts Act requires schools to develop emergency response and parental notification procedures and mandates door reinforcement improvements.

The Single Application for School Safety Act simplifies the federal grant application process for schools seeking funding for security cameras, intercoms, door-locking mechanisms, anonymous threat reporting systems, and crisis intervention training programs.

The EAGLES Act establishes a national program on targeted school violence prevention, expanding research, training, and information-sharing to prevent attacks before they happen.

Rep. Moskowitz highlighted that school violence has impacted communities nationwide, regardless of political affiliation, and called on Congress to act swiftly. "No student should be scared to go to class in the morning, and no family should worry about whether their kid will come home in the afternoon," he affirmed.

The post Moskowitz Calls for Bipartisan School Safety Reforms appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) has reintroduced The Bipartisan Value Over Cost Act, a bill that aims to contract competition, reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, and modernize federal procurement.

The bill seeks to address inefficiencies in the General Services Administration’s (GSA) “Lowest Overall Cost Alternative Standard,” which the Florida Republican argues has led to higher costs and government waste.

In a statement, Rep. Donalds address that “it’s time to Make Government Efficient Again.”

“The General Services Administration’s (GSA) ‘Lowest Overall Cost Alternative Standard’ is burdensome, has resulted in higher costs, government waste, and we need change,” he warned. By reintroducing the Bipartisan Value Over Cost Act, he hopes “to solve this problem once and for all.” "Last Congress, this commonsense legislation was passed with unanimous support in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I once again look forward [to] the successful passage of this proposal in the 119th Congress,” he concluded.

The bill will increase contractual flexibility, provide clarity for acquisition stakeholders, and maximize the federal government’s ability to procure modern technology. Through reducing regulatory hurdles, it will also empower small businesses and ensure the government is securing the best value rather than just the lowest price.

Efforts to reform government contracting and procurement have long been a priority for lawmakers seeking to reduce waste, modernize government operations, and promote economic growth.

If the bill passes, it could have significant implications for government spending, small businesses, and the efficiency of federal agencies.

The bill also comes at a time when Rep. Donalds is hinting at a potential gubernatorial run. The staunch supporter of President Donald Trump (R) could face potential gubernatorial candidates in First Lady Casey DeSantis (R) and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (R), who are also expected to launch their campaigns. However, in the polls, they are trailing Rep. Donalds.

The post Donalds Reintroduces The Bipartisan Value Over Cost Act appeared first on The Floridian.

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SB 2-B, introduced by Florida Senators Randy Fine (R) and Joe Gruters (R), attempts to aggressively address illegal immigration concerns. Among the numerous issues that Republicans address, in-state tuition for migrant children is one of them, and both state Senators Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) and Florida Senator Fine sparred over the issue this week.

The Florida Senate convened this week to deliberate on SB 2-B, an immigration reform bill that aims to introduce sweeping reforms, including the removal of in-state tuition benefits for migrant children. The proposal however has sparked heated debate among lawmakers, who are split on the issue.

Give or take, "the vast majority" of 6,500 migrant children currently benefit from in-state tuition according to the Florida Senate, but Republicans like Florida Senator Fine believe that eliminating in-state tuition for undocumented students would deter illegal immigration by removing incentives.

During an exchange with Florida Senator Smith, who believes that lawmakers need to see the financial benefit that the state has received from migrant children receiving state tuition before voting on the bill, Florida Senator Fine explained his stance.

"It eliminates a magnet that attracts illegal immigrants. The more benefits that one gets for being here illegally, the more incentive there is to be here illegally, and this is one big magnet – a 40 million dollar a year magnet that attracts illegal immigrants to our state,” he explained.

“If you eliminate that incentive along with many others, you may have a situation where the illegal immigrants will not come here. That is the goal,” he added.

However, critics of the bill like Florida Senator Smith question the bill's rationale and fairness.

Florida Senator Smith challenged Florida Senator Fine, asking, “You are saying that entire families are moving to the state of Florida so that they can enroll their child in Florida high schools for a minimum of three years so that they can have the privilege of paying in-state tuition rates in Florida?”

The Republican lawmaker countered, explaining that while the in-state tuition benefit might not be the sole motivator for illegal immigration, he believes that it contributes to a broader system of incentives.

“Every time that you reduce those incentives you have marginal cases of people who would have less incentive to come and less incentive to stay here. This is a big problem,” Florida Senator Fine argued.

"Let's not allow the American Dream to fade for these groups of students," Florida Senator Smith countered.

The post Fine, Smith Spar Over In-State Tuition for Migrant Children appeared first on The Floridian.

Since assuming office, President Donald Trump (R) has waved an aggressive hand at the border. Despite designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) says he shouldn't use military force against the cartels in Haiti.

Haiti, which is seen as a pivot point for drug cartels, has become a focal point in the discussion of the influence drug cartels have in the Western Hemisphere. President Trump has suggested he is open to the idea of using U.S. military force against the drug cartels. However, during an interview with The Floridian, Rep. Cherfilus McCormick said that she's not on board with the idea of the president directing military force to Haiti.

Though she noted that Haiti is strategically positioned as a gateway for drug trafficking routes between Latin America and the United States, she opposes the idea of deploying American troops to Haiti, commenting that existing international efforts should instead be strengthened.

“I think that we could actually build upon what was already done,” Cherfilus-McCormick suggested. "We have other countries that have committed their troops. I don’t think there’s any need to run in and send our troops into a situation where we have an international community that is actively sending them," she added.

The Florida Democrat acknowledged the importance of addressing the cartels’ influence, but she suggested that the United States should adopt a different approach.

“Do we need to be more hands-on to make sure that we’re showing the cartels that we have a ‘no-nonsense’ policy?," she questioned. "Yes, we need to be there, and the American people need to be there, saying ‘we’re not doing this.’ But, right now, to have American troops in Haiti? There’s no need for it. We have the commitments.”

“When it comes to actually looking at who’s funding the cartels and how they’re able to be dominating the entire Latin America, Caribbean, and South America? That has to be dealt with,” she further warned.

The post Cherfilus-McCormick Against Using Military Force in Haiti appeared first on The Floridian.

The House Select Committee on Illegal Immigration convened this week to discuss a bill that would massively change illegal immigration. Republicans want to "aggressively" respond to President Donald Trump's (R) call to crack down on illegal immigration, but Florida Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D) is sounding the alarm on the proposed immigration bill.

Lawmakers are currently deliberating HB 1-B, a proposed bill that would enact sweeping changes to how Florida addresses illegal immigration concerns. The bill would identify the Commissioner of Agriculture as the chief immigration officer, citing the vacuum left in the Attorney General's office after former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) was appointed to the U.S. Senate.

Another change the bill would enact, and one that has become a topic of concern is the removal of in-state tuition eligibility for migrant children, which has drawn sharp criticism from Florida Democrats.

Florida Rep. Driskell expressed her opposition to the bill during a debate on the floor, emphasizing the potential unintended consequences for both local communities and Florida's economy.

“As I understand it, the local law enforcement grants are ‘first come, first serve,’ and there are a lot of local law enforcement agencies that don’t even have the resources to pursue the crime that they have to deal with now, so are we providing an unfunded mandate to them?” Driskell questioned, highlighting concerns about the bill’s potential strain on law enforcement budgets.

She also challenged the provision for eliminating in-state tuition for migrant children who have been part of Florida's educational system.

“The concept that we’ve got these students who have been in our school system and who are in our colleges, universities, where our state has made a significant investment in them in terms of allowing them to have in-state tuition, so that they can then turn around and become taxpayers that contribute to our own tax base is something that we need to talk about,” she argued

Florida Rep. Driskell further argued that immigration is fundamentally a federal issue, and she criticized the bill for dedicating substantial state resources to an issue she feels is better suited for federal solutions.

“It seems to me that we’re about to dedicate over half a billion dollars of Florida’s taxpayer dollars to this issue that really should be something that the federal government should be working on,” she commented, urging legislators to instead focus on issues like affordability, property insurance, and teacher and law enforcement pay.

The post Driskell Sounds the Alarm on Florida Immigration Bill appeared first on The Floridian.

The Florida House of Representatives convened this week for a special session to discuss all-things illegal immigration. With President Donald Trump’s (R) executive orders cracking down on illegal immigrants, the focus of the conversation relied heavily on how students would be affected.

Florida Rep. Lawrence McClure (R) laid out the bill at hand – HB 1-B: Immigration.

The bill, among many things, identifies the Commissioner of Agriculture as the chief immigration officer, creates the Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and addresses noncitizen voting.

Florida Rep. McClure, who sponsored the bill outlined that the November election proved that Americans “want our borders enforced and dangerous illegal aliens removed from the country.”

“President Trump has taken decisive action to advance this goal and has asked the state for assistance,” Florida Rep. McClure added, affirming that “we here in the state of Florida are stepping up aggressively.”

Democrats pushed back against the bill, questioning the financial repercussions that the state could face as well as the trauma it could induce on students.

When questioned if the bill would allow officials to enter schools to pick up migrant students, Florida Rep. McClure rejected the idea.

“Every student has the right to an education,” the Florida congressman responded, adding that despite the state not having the jurisdiction to tell ICE want to do, “you can’t currently under law do that, and there’s nothing in here that allows to do that.”

Another issue that the bill addresses is migrant students being able to pay in-state tuition for schooling.

The bill enforces that migrant children will not benefit from in-state tuition, which is something that has angered Democrat lawmakers like Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D), who is also running for Orlando Mayor.

“These are kids that are so incredibly patriotic, and they love this country so much. It’s not their fault that they don’t have status,” she commented before introducing an amendment that would allow students to pay in-state tuition.

The amendment was voted down.

In response to arguments pointing out that migrant students would lose out on in-state tuition, Florida Rep. Fabian Basabe (R) countered by bringing up that “there are a lot of opportunities out there” that wouldn’t include in-state tuition.

With opportunities like merit-based essays, crowdfunding, and private scholarships, the Florida Republican argued that migrant students can still benefit from financial assistance.

“I don’t appreciate the emotional strings being attached,” he countered.

The post Florida House Debates Massive Illegal Immigration Changes appeared first on The Floridian.

Secretary Marco Rubio (R) has moved on from the U.S. Senate and sworn in as Secretary of State. Citing his expertise in foreign policy, Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) praised his qualifications, calling him the "best fit" for Secretary of State.

In an exclusive interview with The Floridan, Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick celebrated Secretary Rubio's new role in the Trump Administration, suggesting that he has appeal that extends across the aisle.

“I think Rubio has excellent experience. He has a proven track record of knowing how to wield soft power and also hard power,” Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick said. “He’s done a great job in the Senate. We may differ on some instances, but he’s actually the best fit for the position, especially when it comes to the state of Florida. When we’re looking at our positions and what we care about, he understands them intimately.”

The Florida Democrat highlighted Secretary Rubio’s personal connection to the immigrant experience as a strength to his new role as Secretary of State. “He understands how it is when your family comes from a dictatorship. He understands how hard it is to work here,” she explained.

Secretary Rubio's hardline stance aligns closely with President Donald Trump’s (R) own position, and the president's recent executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations drew praise from Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick.

Expressing her support for the president's decision to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick commented that “that was one thing I actually stood up and clapped for when Trump talked about it— [...] labeling them as terrorist organizations is 100% true,” she said.

“A lot of instability we see in Haiti and throughout the Caribbean, who is funding that? When you go to Haiti and you see Hispanic people there with guns, who are they? We all know that they’re Colombian mercenaries. We know what’s going on, but we’re not dealing with it.”

The post Cherfilus-McCormick Says Rubio 'Best Fit' for Secretary of State appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) has responded to President Joe Biden (D) by reintroducing a bill that keeps the Cuban regime on the state sponsor of terrorism list.

This week, President Biden stunned many when his administration announced it would be removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. The decision stems from a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners in Cuba.

U.S. administration officials argue that there are “many dozens” of political prisoners that would be released by the end of the Biden Administration because of Cuba’s removal from the list.

As expected, Republicans have expressed their outrage at the decision. In contrast, Democrats have responded in a divisive way with some praising the move and others sharing their disagreement with it.

The Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends, or FORCE ACT, therefore, prevents any U.S. administration from normalizing relations with the Cuban dictatorship until liberty and democracy are restored to the Cuban people.

In a statement, Rep. Salazar, who serves as the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman, shared that “it is clear that with President Biden’s betrayal of the Cuban community on the island and in exile, the need to keep the regime on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List until freedom is restored is more necessary than ever.”

“I am proud to reintroduce the FORCE Act to ensure no other President can unilaterally violate our nation’s established policies in such a grotesque manner,” she added.

Florida Reps. Carlos Giménez (R), John Rutherford (R), Cory Mills (R), Mario Díaz-Balart (R), and Scott Franklin (R) have cosponsored the bill.

Shortly after the announcement, Reps. Díaz-Balart, Giménez, and Salazar released a video on social media, condemning the incumbent president’s “PATHETIC move to remove the Castro dictatorship from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism!”

As the Cuban-American Members of Congress, we fully REJECT the Biden Admin’s PATHETIC move to remove the Castro dictatorship from the List of State Sponsors of Terorrism!

The Castro regime must be held accountable for its terrorist actions!

Biden BROKE it, Trump will FIX it! pic.twitter.com/dAteaYwXSL

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) January 14, 2025

They condemned the decision, arguing that President-elect Donald Trump (R) will “fix” the issue.

The post Salazar Counters Biden Decision on Cuba With FORCE Act appeared first on The Floridian.

President-elect Donald Trump’s (R) inauguration marks the 60th Presidential Inauguration. American Encore is welcoming the president-elect with its “Second-Act” video series, a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and the United States’ ability to persevere through adversity.

The “Second-Act” series will profile notable Americans who have faced significant challenges. However, despite those challenges, the individuals have overcome the obstacles and used their experiences to make meaningful contributions to society.

Some figures who are featured in the series include actor and producer Mark Wahlberg, tech innovator Damien Patton, President Ronald Reagan, and advocates like Alice Marie Johnson and Frank Meeink.

In a statement, Sean Noble, the President and Founder of American Encore, praised the series, commenting that “America is a nation like no other—a place where people can create a second act, reinvent themselves, overcome adversity, and make meaningful contributions to the world.” “These stories of redemption, resilience, and reinvention remind us that the best days lie ahead if we dare to believe in them.”

“Second-Act” will highlight a wide range of leaders like former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and community advocates such as Cornealious Michael Anderson III, celebrating the diverse paths that such leaders have taken to create impactful legacies.

American Encore prides itself on being committed to showcasing the power of redemption and resilience, and it hopes the series will inspire viewers to embrace their potential and contribute to a better future. They have also vowed to defend freedom, promote free markets, work to expand economic opportunity, and argue for the American ideals of liberty and democracy.

The series is now available on American Encore’s website and Youtube Channel, and American Encore hopes that the series inspires viewers to embrace the transformative power of redemption, naming it as one of the limitless possibilities in the American Dream.

The post American Encore Unveils 'Second-Act' Series appeared first on The Floridian.

Andrew Pollack has responded to “gun grabber” David Hogg’s political ambitions.

At the end of 2024, Hogg announced that he was running for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Citing the need for the DNC to allow more younger voices into its ranks, Hogg said in a statement that the party “must have a renewed focus on our youth outreach in all states and territories to rebuild our coalition after the massive shift to the right among young voters this elections.”

During the 2024 election, Hogg staunchly supported Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) in his effort to become the next vice president. Governor Walz ultimately lost the bid, but now he’s returned the favor by endorsing Hogg for DNC vice chair.

In a statement, Governor Walz praised Hogg’s political advocacy, calling him “exactly what we [Democrats] need right now.”

“After campaigning with David throughout the country, I know firsthand his unique ability to connect with the American people and to speak to the strengths of our party,” Governor Walz said in his statement. “This is exactly what we need right now: experienced, thoughtful, and energized leadership that meets people where they are and takes bold action to win,” he added.

Hogg first made headlines as a survivor of the Parkland school shooting. He subsequently co-founded March for our Lives, a student-led organization that led demonstrations in support of control.

However, not all survivors joined his efforts. Some vehemently opposed Hogg’s gun control arguments, and parents of students who tragically lost their lives in the shooting also spoke out against Hogg.

One of those parents is Andrew Pollack, who took to social media over the weekend to question Hogg’s political ambitions.

David Hogg:

-Lied about surviving a school shooting (wasn’t in the building it happened)
-Son of an FBI agent
-Got into Harvard with poor grades/test scores
-Never worked a real job in his life
-Profited tremendously off dead kids
-Gun grabber

Now he’s being considered for DNC…

— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) January 11, 2025

Pollack accused Hogg of having “lied about surviving a school shooting (wasn’t in the building it happened” and having “profited tremendously off dead kids” among other claims.

Calling him a “gun grabber,” Pollack questioned, “now he’s being considered for DNC Vice chair?”

The post Andrew Pollack Slams 'Gun Grabber' David Hogg's DNC bid appeared first on The Floridian.

Florida Democrats are furious at "BIG MAD" Governor Ron DeSantis (R), arguing that his call for a special session is as authoritarian as it gets.

The Florida governor announced this week that he will call a special session for the end of January to ensure that Florida is doing its part to push forward President-elect Donald Trump's (R) agenda.

Among the issues that will be addressed in the special session is reforming the process to petition the state for a constitutional amendment change, which is triggered by controversies during the 2024 presidential election.

In response to the agenda, Democrats like Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) and state Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) are pushing back against Governor DeSantis' requests.

Governor DeSantis is BIG MAD that a very clear majority of Floridians support reproductive freedom and cannabis legalization, so he's called a special session 1/27 to attack citizen initiatives, take our rights, and bring attention to himself after the inauguration. 1/3

— Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) January 13, 2025

"Governor DeSantis is BIG MAD that a very clear majority of Floridians support reproductive freedom and cannabis legalization, so he's called a special session beginning January 27th in order to attack citizen initiatives, take our rights, and bring attention to himself after the inauguration," state Senator Smith declared on social media.

"He also wants to repeat the bipartisan law passed by his own Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez that allows in-state tuition for DACA/Dreamers who've lived in Florida their entire lives and worked to become doctors and lawyers thanks to this important policy," he added.

Given that the goal of the special session is to expedite the president-elect's agenda like mass deportations, the state rep. argued that this is a misuse of resources "that will destroy our communities and our economy" and "impact public safety efforts."

Rep. Eskamani, who's running for Orlando Mayor, also weighed in on the special session.

"A majority of FL voters supported Amendments 3 & 4 to legalize cannabis & repeal FL's near-total abortion ban," she wrote. "And now DeSantis wants to make the citizen ballot initiative even more difficult -- anything he can do to strip away control from the voters."

A majority of FL voters supported Amendments 3 & 4 to legalize cannabis & repeal FL's near-total abortion ban. And now DeSantis wants to make the citizen ballot initiative even more difficult -- anything he can do to strip away control from the voters.

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD (@AnnaForFlorida) January 13, 2025

The post Florida Democrats go at 'Big Mad' DeSantis Over Special Session appeared first on The Floridian.

A bipartisan group of House members have reintroduced a bill raising the U.S. Department of Justice's bounty on Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to $100 million.

Florida Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R), Darren Soto (D), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), María Elvira Salazar (R), Mario Díaz-Balart (R), and New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith (R) have joined forces to reintroduce the bill. The increase in funds is from assets that have been seized from Maduro and his regime.

News of the effort comes after Maduro took the oath of office in front of Venezuela's National Assembly, effectively securing another term in office despite mounting evidence that he lost the election last year to Edmundo González Urrutia. Urrutia also recently took a trip to the Capitol, meeting with lawmakers and encouraging pushback against the Maduro regime.

In a statement, Rep. Wasserman Schultz explained that "increasing the reward that leads to Maduro's conviction will reinforce the actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to target the criminal enterprise behind Venezuela's election theft and the violent repression of its people." "The Biden-Harris White House marshaled swift international pressure onto the Maduro regime, expanding existing sanctions, and rallied global support around the reality that Edmundo González won in a landslide."

Rep. Díaz-Balart countered the praise of the Biden-Harris Administration, arguing that the incumbent's "appeasement" has only emboldened the Maduro regime.

"The decision to weaken sanctions has jeopardized our national security and empowered a regime closely allied with dangerous adversaries like Russia, Iran, Cuba, and the People's Republic of China," he said in a statement.

Looking forward to the incoming Trump Administration, he warned that "the days of impunity are over. There will be severe consequences and accountability for the harm inflicted on the Venezuelan people."

The Senate companion was reintroduced by Florida Senator Rick Scott (R), Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R), and Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy (R).

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Florida Rep. Cory Mills (R) will chair the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence.

Florida Rep. Brian Mast (R), the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, celebrated his Republican colleagues' appointment, calling Rep. Mills "a warrior who will eat, sleep, and breathe making America's State Department worthy of the men and women he served in uniform with."

"He's going to be a great subcommittee chairman," he commented.

In a statement, Rep. Mills expressed that his appointment comes at a crucial time for the country.

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— Rep. Cory Mills (@RepMillsPress) January 9, 2025

"America is facing unprecedented challenges on the world stage, and our adversaries have been emboldened by the disastrous foreign policies of the Biden Administration," the Florida congressman commented, detailing that the Biden Administration's policies have resulted in "the chaotic and botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, Americans left behind in Israel after Hamas, and gangs taking over Haiti."

"The pattern of abandonment and demonstrated weaknesses empowered the axis of evil (China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran), along with terrorist proxies, to act with greater aggression," Rep. Mills further warned.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence, the Florida Republican wants to ensure that the subcommittee "fulfills its mission to hold those accountable for these failures and to restore the strength of the America First policies."

"Through vigilant oversight, we will protect the safety and interests of the American people, rebuild trust with our allies, be good stewards of American taxpayer funding, and ensure our foreign policies reflect the values and priorities of our nation," he concluded.

Among its numerous roles, the subcommittee Rep. Mills will lead is in charge of overseeing the proper functioning and accountability of U.S. intelligence agencies like the NSA, the CIA, and the FBI in its intelligence role.

At a time when such agencies have struggled with being transparent and generating trust, the subcommittee is looking to address those concerns.

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