Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart died Monday, according to a statement released by his family. He was 70.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart had been diagnosed with cancer. His brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, announced his passing on X.

"It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Defender of the silenced and pressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship, and the author of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)," the statement said. "Lincoln's legacy of achievements will endure for generations, and continues through the work of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) which he co-founded in 2003."

"Lincoln's profound love for the United States, and his relentless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba, guided him throughout his life and his 24 years in elected public service, including 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives," it added.

Diaz-Balart, a Republican since 1985, served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 21st Congressional District from 1993-2011. He also served in the Florida House for District 110 from 1986 to 1989 and in the Florida Senate for District 34 from 1989 to 1992.

A Cuban refugee, Diaz-Balart's start in politics came with the Florida Young Democrats and running an unsuccessful campaign for the Florida legislature with the party in 1982. His biography notes that Diaz-Balart began to identify with the Republican party under the Reagan administration.

Born in Havana in 1954, Diaz-Balart was a strong advocate for a free Cuba and the rights of Cuban exiles. His biggest career moment arguably came as the legislative author responsible for enshrining the United States' Cuban embargo policy into law instead of executive action.

NACRA, which Diaz-Balart also championed, gives immigration benefits and deportation protections to certain Nicaraguans, Cubans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans.

His father, Rafael Díaz-Balart, served as majority leader of the Cuban House of Representatives and, in 1955, opposed amnesty to Fidel Castro, his former brother-in-law, over his involvement in the 1953 Moncada Barracks attack.

Diaz-Balart's aunt, Mirta Díaz-Balart, was married to Fidel Castro from 1948 to 1955. Fidel Castro went on to seize power in Cuba in 1959 and rule the country for decades.

According to the statement, Diaz-Balart is survived by his wife, Cristina, of 48 years, and son Daniel. He also had two other brothers, Rafael Diaz-Balart, a banker, and Jose Diaz-Balart, who works as an anchor on MSNBC.

A public memorial mass will be announced at a later date.

The post Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Dies at 70 appeared first on The Floridian.

Lay off my Coke! Most Americans Want Gov't to Allow Them to Buy Sodas With Food Stamps

Lay off my Coke! In the latest polling from Public Opinion Strategies, a majority of Americans, including Trump voters, support the usage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps) for soft drinks...READ MORE

Ron DeSantis-We re-established the Florida State Guard in 2022 to act as a force multiplier for state, local, and federal public safety and emergency response efforts. Today at Camp Blanding, I was proud to highlight their accomplishments and thank them for their service over the last two years.

They have exceeded our expectations and cemented themselves as an integral part of our state.

From search and rescue to disaster clean up, the @FLStateGuard has demonstrated immense value for the past three years. We look forward to the continued growth of our State Guard and all the good work they will do for our people

Blaise Ingoglia-My commitment to end illegal immigration DOES NOT STOP!!

Today, I filed SB 1498, a ZERO TOLERANCE anti-illegal immigration bill that holds employers accountable for adding to the destruction of our communities.

Sen. Jason Pizzo-Not sure where the time went, but I’m sure of this - tonight, I said goodbye to a tough, brave and loyal young man, who will give the @USMC his very best. He’s one of the few, and I’m one of the very proud. I love you, Jack.

For the People? TV Attorney John Morgan Launching New Political Party—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Orlando attorney and Democratic megadonor John Morgan recently announced he was forming a new political party amidst rumors that he's running for governor of Florida.

Danny Burgess Files Bill Establishing Pilot Program for Phone Free Schools—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) filed a bill on Wednesday that would direct the Florida Department of Education to start a pilot program to implement a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices by students in school.

Poll: Majority of Americans Disagree with RFK Jr., Rubio Over Using Food Stamps to Buy Soft Drinks—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

DeSantis to Accused Rapist Andrew Tate: 'Florida is Not a Place Where You're Welcome'—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't know that right-wing podcaster Andrew Tate, facing rape and trafficking charges in Romania, was flying to Florida...

Cammack Introduces Bill to Defund NPR—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Kat Cammack has introduced legislation to defund National Public Radio, saying, "Federal funds shouldn't be available to NPR." Specifically, Rep. Cammack's bill...

Rubio Forecasts Trump Will Not Be 'Blackmailed' by Maduro—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—During a recent Fox News interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently expressed his belief that, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the US’ foreign...

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Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses From Maduro—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s...

Fried Blasts Byron Donalds After Florida Governor Announcement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried criticized U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on Tuesday after he formally announced his Florida governor run.

DeSantis Brushes Off Donalds' Run for Governor, Wants to Focus on 2024 Election—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Following rumors that Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis might run for governor, Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to comment Wednesday on Byron Donalds' newly launched bid to succeed him, claiming he's more focused on creating results from the 2024 elections.

Sen. Joe Gruters Files Bill to Rename Tamiami Trail to ‘Gulf of America' Trail—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed a bill on Monday to rename part of U.S. Highway 41 between S.R. 60 and U.S. 1, commonly known as Tamiami Trail, to the "Gulf of America Trail", following suit with the Trump administration's namesake of the new "Gulf of America" across the country.

Donalds Introduces Bill to Abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) is introducing legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accusing the Bureau of being "a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition."

Poll: Property Insurance Costs Remain Top Issue for Florida Voters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated With Forced Labor Exports—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

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Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Senate's leading pro-life advocate, Erin Grall, refiled a controversial bill on Wednesday that would expand the state's wrongful death statute...

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Blaise Ingoglia Files Amendment to Freeze Property Taxes Against Homes Affected by Natural Disasters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Blaise Ingoglia filed a proposed amendment on Tuesday that would authorize the legislature to freeze in place...

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Bilirakis Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Preventing Medicaid Payments to the Deceased—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Gus Bilirakis has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Angie Craig to prevent Medicaid capitation...

Van Duyne Defends Elon Musk's DOGE Initiative, Role in White House—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Representative Beth Van Duyne held a press conference just outside the Capitol on Tuesday and defended President Donald Trump and Elon Musk...

House Republicans Planning Official IIlegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The House Armed Services Committee is quietly planning an official congressional trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo...

The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

The post JUICE🍊—2.28.2025—John Morgan's Third Political Party—Soft Drinks and Food Stamps—Phone Free Schools?—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses. 

President Trump’s license cancellation effectively reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied on Venezuela during Trump’s first term. 

Such sanctions were lifted by President Biden in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro he would host free and fair elections. 

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

“We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022, and also having to do with Electoral conditions within Venezuela, which have not been met by the Maduro regime,” stated Trump. 

Trump’s cabinet and close allies, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have lobbied for a hardline approach to Venezuela with the ultimate goal of a democratic transition rather than negotiating with Maduro to help the US economy.  

Trump had also alluded shortly after his November election victory that he would seek to end Venezuelan exports of oil to the US. 

“We have more energy than anybody else. We're going to use it. We don't have to buy energy from Venezuela when we have 50 times more than they do. It's just insane what we're doing,” said Trump. 

Venezuelan government officials criticized the oil export restriction, claiming that “in reality the US is self-inflicting damage to its people and businesses.”

Florida Republicans Maria Elvira-Salazar, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Carlos Gimenez released a joint statement commending Trump’s license revocation. 

“When it comes to defending the cause of freedom in illegitimate regimes like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, there is no greater ally than President Donald J. Trump,” reads the statement. 

“President Trump is keeping his promise. The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over,“ continued the Florida lawmakers.

The post Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses From Maduro appeared first on The Floridian.

DeSantis Brushes Off Donalds' Run for Governor, Wants to Focus on 2024 Election

Following rumors that Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis might run for governor, Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to comment Wednesday on Byron Donalds' newly launched bid to succeed him, claiming he's more focused on creating results from the 2024 elections...READ MORE

The gubernatorial race between Rep. Byron Donalds and Casey DeSantis hasn't even officially started, but fireworks are already going off between the two campaign camps.

Kat Cammack-@NPR is a propaganda wing of the DNC.

They covered up Hunter Biden’s laptop, ignored an assassination attempt on Justice Kavanaugh, and smeared President Trump—all while being subsidized by the federal government.

Now they’re under federal investigation. Time to #DefundNPR

Debbie Wasserman Schultz-Republicans let home insurance companies rip us off. The companies cry poverty, hike prices, then send huge profits to spinoffs.

What’s the MAGA response? Roll over, pass laws to protect the companies, and ignore climate threats that make it worse.

Blaise Ingoglia-Did you know, under FL law, there is currently no way to give property tax “rebates” back to Floridians?

Today, I filed a bill that allows counties and cities to give part of their property tax windfall back to YOU!

It’s YOUR hard earned money, not theirs. Let’s keep government small and accountable.

Fried Blasts Byron Donalds After Florida Governor Announcement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried criticized U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on Tuesday after he formally announced his Florida governor run.

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Sen. Joe Gruters Files Bill to Rename Tamiami Trail to ‘Gulf of America' Trail—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed a bill on Monday to rename part of U.S. Highway 41 between S.R. 60 and U.S. 1, commonly known as Tamiami Trail, to the "Gulf of America Trail", following suit with the Trump administration's namesake of the new "Gulf of America" across the country.

Donalds Introduces Bill to Abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) is introducing legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accusing the Bureau of being "a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition."

Poll: Property Insurance Costs Remain Top Issue for Florida Voters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated With Forced Labor Exports—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Marco Rubio’s 2007 Property Tax Plan Laid Groundwork for DeSantis' New Goal—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Nearly two decades before becoming President Donald Trump's Secretary of State, then-Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio laid the groundwork...

Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Senate's leading pro-life advocate, Erin Grall, refiled a controversial bill on Wednesday that would expand the state's wrongful death statute...

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Blaise Ingoglia Files Amendment to Freeze Property Taxes Against Homes Affected by Natural Disasters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Blaise Ingoglia filed a proposed amendment on Tuesday that would authorize the legislature to freeze in place...

Rep. Jeff Holcomb Files Bill Allowing Off-Duty LEO to Conceal Carry at Sporting Events—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Rep. Jeff Holcomb filed a bill on Tuesday that would allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons or firearms...

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House Republicans Planning Official IIlegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The House Armed Services Committee is quietly planning an official congressional trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo...

Trump-Endorsed Byron Donalds Announces Run for Florida Governor—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo

Rep. Lauren Melo Thanks Passidomo for SD 28 Endorsement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—House Republican Lauren Melo (R-Naples) thanked former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo after she endorsed Melo for her Senate District 28 on Saturday.

Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Requiring E-Verify for all Private Employers—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) filed a bill on Monday that would require all private employers in Florida to use E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of potential new hires, thus ensuring that only legal U.S. citizens can work in the country.

Dunn Introduces Bill Empowering Vehicle Owners with Crucial Data Access—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) is introducing legislation to allow vehicle owners access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.

Scott Reintroduces Bill to Fight Online Fentanyl Sales—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Franklin Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Protecting Good Samaritans Using Defibrillators—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) have reintroduced the bipartisan Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which establishes nationwide standards for legally protecting the usage of defibrillators outside of hospitals during cardiac emergencies.

Nikki Fried: DeSantis Needs to 'Shut His Damn Mouth' on Florida DOGE—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried didn't mince words on Monday after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a state version of Elon...

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Trump Pushes To End Ukraine War in Ukraine-Centric G7 Summit—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump joined heads of state in a recent Group of Seven summit that primarily focused on the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vlodymyr...

Fabian Basabe Calls Out Miami Beach Pride Over Exclusion—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—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...

Kristi Noem Celebrates Low Illegal Apprehensions at U.S. Border—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared Monday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered just 200 aliens at the southern border...

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The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

The post JUICE🍊—2.27.2025—2026 DeSantis vs Donalds Fued Continues—Gulf of America Trail—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced expanded visa restrictions for members of the Cuban government participating in the ‘exploitation’ of medical workers. 

Secretary Rubio’s visa restrictions announcement follows reports that the Communist Cuban regime is profiting off the forced labor of Cuban doctors. 

“Cuba continues to profit from the forced labor of its workers and the regime’s abusive and coercive labor practices are well documented,” claimed Rubio. “Cuba’s labor export programs, which include the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and in the case of Cuba’s overseas medical missions, deprive ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country.”

Rubio’s new visa restrictions limit the legal travel capacity  current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be involved in or responsible for Cuba’s overseas medical missions. 

More than 40,000 Cuban doctors are reportedly spread throughout the world in diverse 'medical missions.' 

However, myriad concerns have been raised regarding the process by which such doctors are paid, with critics and some former doctors alleging their wages are withheld by the Cuban government and then funneled into the regime’s military. 

Former U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs Otto Reich explained Cuba’s foreign doctor missions as a nefarious and lucrative source of revenue for the Cuban government. 

“Under the guise of a ‘voluntary, humanitarian, internationalist program,’ Cuba generates between $8 billion and $11 billion every year from the forced labor of doctors and medical workers exported to foreign countries,” claimed Reich. 

According to Reich, the doctors are closely watched by Cuban intelligence, have 80-90% of their salary diverted to the Cuban government, and are forced to use their services as leverage for political purposes, such as withholding treatment from patients opposing the Cuban regime. 

Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL), the daughter of Cuban exiles, commended Rubio for his expansion of visa restrictions. 

“Secretary Rubio sent Havana a clear message,” stated Representative Salazar. “Those who traffic people and exploit that labor are equally complicit in the regime’s brutal repression of rights and freedom. You are NOT welcome in the United States!”

The post Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated With Forced Labor Exports appeared first on The Floridian.

House Republicans Planning Official Illegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay

The House Armed Services Committee is quietly planning an official congressional trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as more illegal aliens are being detained and...READ MORE

President Donald Trump: "I'm very disappointed...four bodies came in today...We got a lot of hostages back, but it's very sad what happened to those people...This is a vicious group of people, and Israel's going to have to decide what they're doing."

FL Sen. Joe Gruters: "Time to Ride the GOAT! (Gulf of America Trail) What are your thoughts? Should we follow the GOAT President @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and rename Tamiami Trail?"

Rep. Maxwell Frost: "They're gutting your healthcare to fund billionaire tax cuts and then hoping you don’t notice the grift. It's a betrayal and a damn shame."

FL Rep. Angie Nixon: "It’s wild to me that Republican Ron DeSantis is advocating to defund the police by eliminating property taxes. WOW."

Marco Rubio’s 2007 Property Tax Plan Laid Groundwork for DeSantis' New Goal—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Nearly two decades before becoming President Donald Trump's Secretary of State, then-Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio laid the groundwork...

Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Senate's leading pro-life advocate, Erin Grall, refiled a controversial bill on Wednesday that would expand the state's wrongful death statute...

Trump Treasury Department Constricts Iran's 'Ghost Fleet'—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump’s Treasury Department, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has announced a series of measures tightening sanctions on Iran’s illicit...

Blaise Ingoglia Files Amendment to Freeze Property Taxes Against Homes Affected by Natural Disasters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Blaise Ingoglia filed a proposed amendment on Tuesday that would authorize the legislature to freeze in place...

Rep. Jeff Holcomb Files Bill Allowing Off-Duty LEO to Conceal Carry at Sporting Events—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Rep. Jeff Holcomb filed a bill on Tuesday that would allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons or firearms...

Bilirakis Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Preventing Medicaid Payments to the Deceased—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Gus Bilirakis has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Angie Craig to prevent Medicaid capitation...

Van Duyne Defends Elon Musk's DOGE Initiative, Role in White House—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Representative Beth Van Duyne held a press conference just outside the Capitol on Tuesday and defended President Donald Trump and Elon Musk...

House Republicans Planning Official IIlegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The House Armed Services Committee is quietly planning an official congressional trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo...

The Last Squeeze is published by  by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo,  and Daniel Molina

The post Last Squeeze🍊—2.26.2025—House Republicans Planning Trip to Guantanamo—Marco Rubio Property Tax Plan Laid Groundwork for DeSantis—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is quietly planning an official congressional trip (CODEL) to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as more illegal aliens are being detained and sent there from the mainland.

The Floridian has learned that during a recent 4-day trip to Fort Buchanan on the island of Puerto Rico, members of the HASC were briefed on the current military status in the region and how the Army garrison situated in the City of San Juan, could become the “Tip of the Spear” for the Department of Defense in the growingly hostile Western Hemisphere.

In addition, staffers were in a preliminary discussion about putting together the official trip to GITMO to address the ongoing and aforementioned deportation of illegal aliens that the Trump administration is conducting across the country.

The majority of deported Venezuelan illegal aliens have made their way to GITMO.

Florida Congress Carlos Gimenez (R), sits on the HASC and who, at 7 years old, fled Cuba with his family back in 1960, spoke to The Floridian about possibly returning to the island after so many years.

“I haven’t been back since November of 1960, that’s when I left Cuba. I would think that it could get emotional for me going back to Cuba. I was born there. I haven’t been back there in 60 years,” said Rep. Gimenez.

Rep. Gimenez added that under the Trump administration, “a refocusing of America on the Western Hemisphere” needed to be established, saying that U.S. neighbors and partners have been ignored.

“We need to establish a refocusing of America on the Western Hemisphere,” he said. “I thing for too long, we have been ignoring our neighbors in our own hemisphere, and Russia and China have taken advantage of that and filled that vacuum.”

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump asserted that criminal illegal aliens would be sent to Guantanamo Bay.

“We have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people. Some of them so bad, we don’t even trust their countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back, so we are going to send them out to Guantanamo,” said President Trump during a White House press conference.

A date has not been set for the congressional visit to Guantanamo Bay.

The post House Republicans Planning Official IIlegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay 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.

MIAMI—Former UFC Fighter Jorge Masvidal enjoyed a widely successful 20-year career in mixed martial arts (MMA), but his next fight might bring the biggest challenge in his life.

Jorge Masvidal, 40, is putting down his MMA gloves for now and exploring a run at the Florida State Senate. A Cuban American born in Miami, Masividal is hoping to run in Senate District 39, a Hialeah area district currently represented by Sen. Bryan Avila (R).

In particular, Masvidal is looking to grapple against child sex trafficking, an issue he says is plaguing the streets of his city and all across Florida.

"The only reason why I'm so committed to this is because I have been noticing for a long time in my city we have a massive problem," Masvidal said to The Floridian. "It's such a big problem that you can't refute it, you can't say it is not happening. People try to turn a blind eye to it, whoever it is, but there's numbers, there's facts, there's statistics that show that it's a problem."

Similar to his illustrious career, Masvidal is now looking to quickly knock out child sex trafficking, including "putting the sleep" perpetrators of the crime with the death penalty.

"I would 100% back the death penalty for child sex trafficking for trafficking of minors even if its not to exploit them for sexual crimes but a lot of workshops that are set up throughout the state. Any of that stuff for me would be grounds for murder," Masvidal said.

Masvidal said he wanted to send a "clear message" to criminals, adding they were playing with their lives and that it could be the "last dollar" they ever would make if they were to be caught.

He also indicated back home that South Florida is ranked No. 2 for child sex trafficking, just behind Orlando, adding the problem was bigger locally than towns along the U.S-Mexico border, which is often considered a hot spot for human trafficking.

"Something has to be done. Something has to be done at the state level, federal level, and local level. It's something that I've been praying on a lot. If this individual [Avila] steps down, it is something that is very concerning because this is the only way I can bring change to my community in that one area," Masvidal said.

Masvidal competed professionally in the UFC  from 2003-2023. Over that time, he amassed a 35-17 record in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions and won the symbolic UFC "BMF" Championship title over Nate Diaz in 2019.

However, he might be best known for his 5-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239 in 2019. Masvidal finished Askren with a flying knee, leaving him motionless in what is the fastest knockout in UFC history.

Masvidal first became known for his street fighting after competing in backyard brawls in Miami-Dade promoted by bare-knuckle fighter Kimbo Slice, which subsequently went viral.

He announced his retirement from UFC after losing to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision for his fourth consecutive loss at UFC 287 in Miami. A longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, Masvidal led a "Let's Go Brandon" chant, a phrase then considered as a diss at President Joe Biden, after the fight.

With his gloves off, for now, Masvidal will now look to make that change in Tallahassee.

Along with fighting child sex trafficking, Masvidal vowed to fight against illegal immigration. He also told The Floridian he would follow Donald Trump's lead on the issue.

"I don't feel that the right leaders are taking charge against this evil. We have to run a crusade against these tyrants. This is a billion-dollar industry just in Florida alone. To bring an end to this it's going to take a team of smart, educated individuals who know how to deal with this evil to bring it to an end. The alarming rate of kids getting snatched out of Florida is crazy," Masvidal said.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The post Former UFC Fighter Jorge Masvidal to Enter Florida Politics, Looks to Knockout Child Sex Trafficking With Death Penalty appeared first on The Floridian.

Representatives Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) have joined some of their colleagues in bicameral and bipartisan fashion to introduce the PROTECT Our Children Act, which would reauthorize and reengineer the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program to keep up with modern times.

The ICAC Task Force consists of 61 federal, state, and local task forces, with 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies trained to protect children from sexual exploitation, both online and offline. These agencies are "engaged in both proactive and reactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.

The ICAC Task Force has led the charge in arresting more than 123,000 suspects relating to child exploitation.

Alongside updating and modernizing the ICAC Task Force, the PROTECT Our Children Act would reauthorize the program through 2028.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz shared that this bill will "help make the internet a safe space" for young people and build upon the legislation she introduced more than 10 years ago on this issue.

“Our lives are increasingly intertwined with the internet, and those who would commit crimes against our children know that all too well. With the PROTECT Our Children Act, the ICAC Task Force Program will get predators offline and help make the internet a safe space for all children,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to build on the original PROTECT Our Children Act that I authored over a decade ago. We all have a role to play in keeping our children safe.”

Furthermore, Rep. Moskowitz echoed Wasserman Schultz's statement, saying that reauthorizing this program is "the right to do" to keep children from encountering "vile predators" on the internet.

“In Florida and every other state in the country, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces have protected our kids from vile predators in the darkest parts of the digital world,” said Rep. Moskowitz. “These law enforcement programs have a proven track record of getting tens of thousands of bad actors off the streets, and reauthorizing this program is the right thing to do to keep kids safe. I’m proud to be joining this broad, bipartisan group of colleagues to support these programs so law enforcement agencies across Florida can continue their work combatting child exploitation and other heinous crimes.”

Moreover, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), one of the sponsors in the Senate, shared that the ICAC Task Force has an upstanding track record working with law enforcement, and this bill would provide them with the tools necessary to combat child predators online.

“The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program has a long history of equipping our law enforcement officers with the tools needed to safeguard children and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would reauthorize and update this critical program to address the evolving digital threat landscape and protect our children from these heinous crimes.”

Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) also introduced this bill.

The post Wasserman Schultz & Moskowitz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Children Online appeared first on The Floridian.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) filed SB 608 Tuesday to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" under Florida Statutes. The proposed legislation would specifically ensure "all official state documents, maps, and references reflect the designation Gulf of America."

“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we have the opportunity to honor America’s greatness by embracing the Gulf of America,” DiCeglie said in a press release.

The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles along the Southern United States, including 770 miles by Florida's west coast. For context, the body of water is bounded by 35 state counties from westernmost Escambia County to southernmost Monroe County and its extension in the Florida Keys.

It also stretches along Pinellas County, represented partially by DiCeglie.

“This body of water has long been essential to the livelihood of Pinellas County, supporting our fishing industry, local businesses, and vibrant tourism sector. By updating Florida’s statutes to reflect this new designation, we are reinforcing President Trump’s bold vision and ensuring the Gulf’s significance is recognized at the state level," DiCeglie continued.

The announcement comes after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172 (Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness) in January.

The order specifically called to “take all appropriate actions to rename as the ‘Gulf of America’ the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the State of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as the Gulf of Mexico.”

Trump also said he issued the order because “[t]he area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.”

In addition, Trump issued a proclamation recognizing this past Sunday as the first-ever Gulf of America Day. Florida had picked up on the trend after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order that recognized the name change before a winter storm approached the state in January.

Even Google appeared to get the message after it said they "have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources."

.If passed, SB 608 would take effect on July 1.

The post Florida Bill Would Follow Trump-backed 'Gulf of America' Change appeared first on The Floridian.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) discussed President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, the ongoing reconciliation bill talks, and cutting USAID recently on Fox and Friends First, saying his policies are "why the American people put us there" in Washington.

President Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and will enter talks with Taiwan about semiconductor imports, which Rep. Salazar was his way of "trying to make things right."

"Trading with the United States is a privilege, not a right," Rep. Salazar explained, "so if you do not play by our rules, we just do not play with you."

More to the point, the Florida Congresswoman suggested China was engaging in "bioterrorism" by exporting fentanyl chemicals to be manufactured in Mexico and then sent to the U.S., which is part of why Trump is engaging in aggressive trade tactics.

The conversation then shifted to the reconciliation bill, which may be split into two parts. Fiscal conservatives do not want to engage in extra spending. 

Salazar reiterated, "Nobody wants to spend too much money; we want to lower the deficit. The President said we owe $33 trillion. That is a lot of money, and the last four years were a splurge."

"So now we have to pull back. And I do believe that there is no doubt that we are going to have a bill, we are going to have a budget, and we are going to have reconciliation," the Florida Congresswoman continued, adding that Republicans are united.

"Because we know very well, starting with [Speaker] Mike Johnson (R-LA), who tells us all the time that this is the opportunity, that we have the next two years because the President promised it, the people voted for us, and that is why we are there, and we will get it done whether it is one bill or two bills, it does not matter. We are going to get it done, and we are going to reduce the budget," said Salazar.

USAID was the final topic of discussion. Salazar said it "was a program that was formed in order to use what you call soft diplomacy just to bring American values into Latin America specifically, [and] has been very useful, but it lost its course," referring to various programs promoting LGBT issues in Latin America funded by USAID.

As a result, she echoed State Secretary Marco Rubio's pledge to cut programs that "do not promote the safety, the security, and the prosperity of the United States."

Compared to a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) member, Salazar replied, "I am part of common sense, like the President is saying, in bringing back the country, not only the values but the fiscal responsibility that we need to have. That is what the American people need, and that is why they put us there."

The post Salazar Talks Tariffs, Reconciliation Bill, USAID, Says 'That is Why the American People Put Us There' appeared first on The Floridian.

MIAMI - Former UFC Fighter Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal shared on Saturday that he is considering a Florida State Senate run in District 39 if an opening is made available.

"I believe I could make a real difference in the State Senate—particularly in fighting the child sex trafficking which we all know is happening in Miami-Dade County," Masvidal said. "I am honored by the many citizens who are urging me to run if this opportunity presents itself, and I want everyone to know that I am thinking seriously and praying about it."

Senate District 39 is represented by Republican Bryan Avila. The area covers part of Miami-Dade County including Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Springs, and Doral.

Masvidal mentioned Avila could be heading to the Miami-Dade County Commission after former commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera was nominated by President Donald Trump as the next U.S. ambassador to Panama.

The possible appointment, which would come from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, would create a special election in SD 39.

Born in Miami, Masvidal said he was "gratified" by the many people urging him to run if a special election were to occur.

Senate District 39 is a reliably red district with a Hispanic population of over 90%. Avila was easily reelected in SD 39 over Democratic candidate Charles Lewis I by 40 points last November.

Hialeah specifically has the highest percentage of Cuban and Cuban-American residents of any city in the United States at roughly 75%. Miami-Dade County also has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country at 70%.

Masvidal, 40, is Cuban and a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. Trump credited Masvidal with his success in Miami-Dade County where he won by 11.5 points over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump also became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Miami-Dade since George H.W. Bush in 1988.

Masvidal competed professionally in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) from 2003-2023. Over his 20-year career, he amassed a 35-17 record in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions and won the symbolic UFC "BMF" Championship title over Nate Diaz in 2019.

He announced his retirement from UFC after losing to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision for his fourth consecutive loss at UFC 287 in Miami. Although, Masvidal has hinted at a return in 2025, possibly at UFC 314 in Miami in April.

Masvidal first became known for his street fighting after competing in backyard brawls in Miami-Dade promoted by bare-knuckle fighter Kimbo Slice, which subsequently went viral.

However, he might be best known for his 5-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239 in 2019. Masvidal finished Askren with a flying knee, leaving him motionless in what is the fastest knockout in UFC history.

Editor's note: The Floridian has reached out to Masvidal on Instagram for comment

The post Former UFC Fighter Jorge Masvidal Considering Florida Senate Run appeared first on The Floridian.

Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) have reintroduced their bipartisan legislation, the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, which aims to update regulations and support Florida citrus growers by creating friendlier standards.  The entire Florida delegation has co-sponsored the bill.

According to the lawmakers, the rationale for changing the not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice brix (required level of sugar/solids content) standard wouldn't affect nutrition nor taste, but give growers more flexibility and greater value for their product. The not-from-concentrate brix standard would change from 10.5% to 10% with this bill.

Specifically, this bill would direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alter the brix standard (required level of sugar/solids content) in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice from 10.5 percent to 10 percent. Moreover, Reps. Franklin's and Wasserman Schultz's further rationale for changing the standard includes the effects of major hurricanes, greening, and other "adverse factors" that have impacted citrus growers, especially in the State of Florida.

The bill, Reps. Franklin and Wasserman Schultz and the Florida delegation argue, also reduce the dependency on foreign fruit.

Rep. Franklin called the current standards "outdated" and said this bill "throws [growers] a lifeline" for their businesses.

“Outdated standards and needless red tape are standing in the way of Florida citrus’s big comeback,” said Rep. Franklin. “While slow-moving FDA bureaucrats take years to deliberate a small regulatory adjustment, our growers are losing out on profit to foreign producers and struggling to keep their operations afloat. This simple fix throws them a lifeline, allowing more domestic product to come to market without sacrificing quality for consumers."

Franklin continued, thanking both sides of the aisle in Florida for supporting this bill.

"Helping Florida’s flagship crop is a bipartisan issue, and I’m grateful to my Florida colleagues for joining me to update this harmful regulation," concluded Franklin.

Moreover, Rep. Wasserman Schultz declared that this bill is good for farmers and processors without sacrificing quality.

“Unless we defeat pests, diseases, and extreme weather, the natural decline in brix levels in mature Florida oranges will continue, but this bill would provide our farmers and processors with flexibility to keep producing the world’s best oranges, with no sacrifices in the high quality and taste our farmers always deliver,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.

Wasserman Schultz concluded, “Florida’s growers and processors should not be further waylaid by this outdated, arbitrary brix measure. Tasty, nutritious orange juice is what the world wants, and Florida orange growers should be able to continue to deliver it to our breakfast tables. This bill does that.”

The post Florida Delegation Unites Around Franklin, Wasserman Schultz to Help Citrus Growers appeared first on The Floridian.

Sen. Minority Leader Tears into Republicans Over Illegal Immigration

Top Democratic Party amigo, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo criticized Florida Republicans in a series of remarks as the party infights with Gov. Ron DeSantis in special legislative sessions over how to implement illegal immigration reform...READ MORE

Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD —Flagging that in the Governor's proposed budget, he wants to legalize campaign coordination the EOG did during their anti-abortion campaign. They spent PUBLIC MONEY to campaign against Amendment 4, which 57% of voters still voted YES on.

Shevrin “Shev” Jones-“There’s no need to sugarcoat it: DEI is the new n-word, and they’re using it to discredit the qualifications of people who are more qualified than individuals who have no qualifications at all,” Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones told the Miami Herald.

Jay Collins-For decades, I put my life on the line in defense of freedom.

Now the battlefield looks different, but you can trust that I’m still fighting with all that I have to preserve the ideas, ideals, and principles that make our state and nation great.

Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo Blasts Republican Infighting Over Illegal Immigration—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo criticized Florida Republicans in a series of remarks as the party infights with Gov. Ron DeSantis in special legislative sessions over how to implement President Donald Trump's immigration agenda in the state.

Panama to Cut Ties With China's Belt and Road Initiative, Grant US Ships Free Passage Through Panama Canal—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

After Bruising Battle, DeSantis is Confident Legislature Can 'Land the Plane' on Immigration—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—After a brutal few weeks rife with party infighting and bruising insults, Gov. Ron DeSantis believes he and the GOP Legislature are...

Mills Introduces Bill to Finish Off DEI in Federal Government—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Cory Mills has introduced legislation to destroy diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government, building off of an executive order issued...

Florida Bill Would Make Ticket Prices for Sporting Events, Concerts More Transparent—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Are you tired of paying more for concerts and sporting events and getting ripped off with hidden fees? Two Florida Democratic lawmakers...

Florida Dems Congratulate David Hogg on Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Election—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—The Florida Democratic Party congratulated gun control activist and March for Our Lives co-founder David Hogg after he...

Meta is Reducing Mistakes and Restoring Free Speech with a New Approach to Content Moderation—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Tech giant Meta recently announced a significant overhaul of its content moderation policy in the U.S., aiming to address...

Trump to Lift Mexican Tariffs, Mexico to Supply 10,000 Troops at Border—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—President Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been brokered between the United States and Mexico to lift their competing tariffs against each...

Cava Reacts After Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

DeSantis Said to be Looking to Pick Rep. Mike Caruso as Interim Lt. Governor—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will name Rep. Mike Caruso (R) as his next Lt. Governor in the coming days...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reinforces Trump's Policy on Cuba—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—MIAMI - Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism (SST) on Friday after President Donald Trump put the communist country back on the list on his first day back in office.

Florida GOP Celebrates Flipping Hillsborough County Red in Voter Registration—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—The Republican Party of Florida announced on Thursday that they've flipped Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, red in voter registration.

Scott Introduces Bill to Properly Vet Afghan Refugees—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Gov. Ron DeSantis Indicates Support for Open Carry Bill—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Farm Bill Delayed, Lawmakers Warn of Possible Trade War with China—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Did you know that genetically modified (GM) seeds could lead to a possible produce trade war with Communist China?

Speaker Daniel Perez Says DeSantis's Illegal Immigration Proposal is 'Weak' on Crime—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo

New Bill Would 'Vet' Afghanistan Withdrawal Refugees—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Republican Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Joni Ernst (IA) have filed a bill that would vet Afghanistan refugees who entered the United States after President Joe Biden’s tumultuous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Florida DNC Delegation Backs Ken Martin, Ben Wikler for National Committee Chair—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Miami-Dade Democrat Party Chair Issues Advice to Illegal Immigrants Encountering ICE—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chair and immigration attorney Laura Kelley has released a video directed toward illegal immigrants...

Ingoglia Cautions Against TRUMP Act's Potential for 'Abuse' of Immigration System—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia, the sponsor of eight anti-illegal immigration bills crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and killed by GOP leaders...

Luna Introduces Bill Tightening Asylum Admission Rules—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Anna Paulina Luna is introducing legislation aimed at tightening the rules for claiming asylum in the United States in response to large numbers...

Haridopolos to Chair House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Mike Haridopolos announced his appointment as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, which is part of the broader...

Make America Great, Congress Must Renew Trump’s Tax Policy Before It’s Too Late—Opinion by Kevin Cooper—The American public sent a clear signal when they re-elected President Trump last November that they were tired of the economy of the past four...

'We're in the Game, Too': DeSantis Ponders Flying Criminal Migrants to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis floated the idea of flying immigrants illegally in Florida to the Guantanamo Bay detention center, aligning with President...

Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo,  and Daniel Molina

The post JUICE🍊—2.4.2025—Republicans Continue to Fail on Illegal Immigration—Is the Immigration Plane Crash Landing?—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

DeSantis Looks to Appoint Rep. Caruso to Lt. Gov?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will name Rep. Mike Caruso (R) as his next Lt. Governor in the coming days as current Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez is expected to be named President of Florida International University.

Naturally, the DeSantis administration is denying this.

READ MORE

Trump, Rubio Scoring Another Foreign Policy Win With Panama Canal

Panama's President Javier Martínez-Acha announced that its deal with China to allow the communist state to run the Panama Canal would be ending after Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed a not-so-veiled threat of military intervention by former President Donald Trump

“China is running the Panama Canal that was not given to China, that was given to Panama foolishly, but they violated the agreement, and we’re going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen,” Trump told reporters.

Jared Moskowitz-James, Mi Amor, they wrote about our love story. It was us!

Sen. Jason Pizzo-The Twitters are abuzz with folks demanding the “DeSantis bill” be passed.

There were 11 “DeSantis” bills filed, by 3 senators. Objectively, most of these bills do little to curb illegal immigration. Of course, the bill that did pass, (which will be vetoed), is also weak.

Blaise Ingoglia-With all due respect, I voted “NO” based upon the contents (or lack therof) in the bill.

I have a long history of bucking leadership if it’s the right thing to do.

This was one of those times.

I refuse to compromise my values for political purposes.

Jay Collins-In life, as in combat, we are provided fleeting moments of maximum opportunity. Time is the only thing we can never get more of, so we must maximize this opportunity.

@GovRonDeSantisand @realDonaldTrump want the same thing—the strongest immigration bill possible to protect Americans and our American way of life.

Having forged my resolve in hard times and worse places, I’ve often seen the Courage of a few change outcomes. I stand firmly here because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Ultimately, this is about policy. The Governor DeSantis inspired language is stronger and what is needed in Florida.

I believe in our ability to solve this problem, put aside frustration and false smears, and do what Florida must always do: Lead.

When Florida Leads America Wins!

Cava Reacts After Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

DeSantis Said to be Looking to Pick Rep. Mike Caruso as Interim Lt. Governor—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will name Rep. Mike Caruso (R) as his next Lt. Governor in the coming days...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reinforces Trump's Policy on Cuba—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—MIAMI - Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism (SST) on Friday after President Donald Trump put the communist country back on the list on his first day back in office.

Florida GOP Celebrates Flipping Hillsborough County Red in Voter Registration—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—The Republican Party of Florida announced on Thursday that they've flipped Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, red in voter registration.

Scott Introduces Bill to Properly Vet Afghan Refugees—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Gov. Ron DeSantis Indicates Support for Open Carry Bill—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Farm Bill Delayed, Lawmakers Warn of Possible Trade War with China—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Did you know that genetically modified (GM) seeds could lead to a possible produce trade war with Communist China?

Speaker Daniel Perez Says DeSantis's Illegal Immigration Proposal is 'Weak' on Crime—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo

New Bill Would 'Vet' Afghanistan Withdrawal Refugees—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Republican Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Joni Ernst (IA) have filed a bill that would vet Afghanistan refugees who entered the United States after President Joe Biden’s tumultuous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Florida DNC Delegation Backs Ken Martin, Ben Wikler for National Committee Chair—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Miami-Dade Democrat Party Chair Issues Advice to Illegal Immigrants Encountering ICE—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chair and immigration attorney Laura Kelley has released a video directed toward illegal immigrants...

Ingoglia Cautions Against TRUMP Act's Potential for 'Abuse' of Immigration System—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia, the sponsor of eight anti-illegal immigration bills crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and killed by GOP leaders...

Luna Introduces Bill Tightening Asylum Admission Rules—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Anna Paulina Luna is introducing legislation aimed at tightening the rules for claiming asylum in the United States in response to large numbers...

Haridopolos to Chair House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Mike Haridopolos announced his appointment as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, which is part of the broader...

Make America Great, Congress Must Renew Trump’s Tax Policy Before It’s Too Late—Opinion by Kevin Cooper—The American public sent a clear signal when they re-elected President Trump last November that they were tired of the economy of the past four...

'We're in the Game, Too': DeSantis Ponders Flying Criminal Migrants to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis floated the idea of flying immigrants illegally in Florida to the Guantanamo Bay detention center, aligning with President...

Rep. Scott Franklin to Lead Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee

“It’s an honor to be selected to serve as Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee,” said Congressman Franklin. “I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness. I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Governor DeSantis to Appoint Lt. Governor Nuñez President of FIU?—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—It appears that Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as the next president of Florida International University (FIU)...

Rep. Tom Fabricio Mourns Loss of Victims in D.C. Plane, Helicopter Crash—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Mills Discusses Trump's Guantanamo Holding Facility for Illegal Aliens, 'Not a Bad Idea'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) discussed President Donald Trump's recent memorandum ordering the detainment of 30,000 criminal illegal aliens...

Scott Introduces Bill to Fight Child Trafficking Through Proper Vetting of Sponsors—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Lawmakers Seek Accountability After Tragic DC American Airlines Crash—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are demanding answers and seeking accountability after a US Army helicopter crashed into an oncoming...

'Toothless' or 'Tougher'? Perez Claims TRUMP Act is Stronger Than DeSantis Proposals—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—As Gov. Ron DeSantis accuses the GOP Legislature of touting a "toothless" immigration bill, House Speaker Danny Perez, a Republican leading...

DeSantis Warns 2026 GOP Gubernatorial Candidates About Backing 'Weak' Illegal Immigration Bill—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just gave an ominous warning to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and any Republican...

Scott, Cruz Reintroduce 'Kate's Law' to Curb Violent Illegal Immigrant Crime—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Rick Scott has joined Senator Ted Cruz in introducing the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, also known as Kate’s Law. While President Donald Trump...

DeSantis: Any Candidate for Governor Silent on TRUMP Act Will Be 'Dead on Arrival'—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida Republicans hoping to run for governor next year will be "dead on arrival" if they refuse to publicly oppose a new immigration bill...

Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo,  and Daniel Molina

The post JUICE🍊—2.3.2025—DeSantis to Pick Caruso as Interim Lt. Governor?—Trump, Rubio Crush China at Panama Canal—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

MIAMI - Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism (SST) on Friday after President Donald Trump put the communist country back on the list on his first day back in office.

"The Trump Administration is restoring a tough Cuba policy that protects America and helps the Cuban people," Rubio said. "We've maintained Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list – where it belongs – and taken other steps. The Cuban regime's oppression of its people and malign actions must end."

Donald Trump restored Cuba as an SST after former President Joe Biden removed the country from the list during his final days in office. Trump previously designated Cuba as an SST in the last days of his first administration in 2021.

The Biden administration, in a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church, originally agreed to remove the designation in exchange for political prisoners who protested against the communist country in July 2021.

Cuban officials had been pushing for a policy change throughout Biden's term. Soon after the announcement, the country began releasing prisoners, including some sentenced to prison time for the 2021 protests.

However, like with many of Biden's policies, Trump scraped the idea upon his return to Washington. The decision also was condemned at the time by Florida officials from across the political aisle.

“I opposed the decision to remove them. I’m glad that it’s been reinstated because they are engaged in terrorist activity,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) stated. “They are part of the “Axis of Evil” with Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. They need to be labeled as a state’s sponsor of terrorism.”

Republican Miami Mayor Francis Saurez, who like Rubio is Cuban, also blasted the decision. Another negative reaction came from House Republican Rep. Fabian Basabe, who called the decision an "insult" and "threat to national security."

About 1.5 million Cubans live in Florida, far exceeding any other state. A majority also live in Miami-Dade County, where Trump has become very popular.

Trump won Miami-Dade by 11 points over Vice President Kamala Harris, the first win for a Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush in 1988.

The post Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reinforces Trump's Policy on Cuba appeared first on The Floridian.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Delegates of the Florida Democratic Party pledged their support on Friday behind Minnesota's Ken Martin and Wisconsin's Ben Wikler for Democratic National Committee Chair.

“The future of the Democratic Party starts with investing in the South. As Florida’s population changes, our political significance will evolve and with more electoral college votes on the horizon, now is the time to start investing and organizing in our people," Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said.

"We need a new, Democratic strategy for the South that harnesses the collective power of our constituencies. A message that works in the South, will work across the country and we need our new Chair to understand that — and act on it," Fried added.

Ken Martin, 51, is the chair of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Other Florida DNC delegates supporting Martin include state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Judy Mount, Pamela Castellana, Alan Clendenin, Ric Gable, and Lydia Hudson.

Ben Wikler, 43, is chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Wikler has received support from Daniel Henry, Juan Cuba, Karla Hernàndez-Mats, Millie Herrera, Samuel Vilchez Santiago, Samantha Hope-Herring, and Allision Minnerly.

Other candidates in the race include former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. O'Malley has earned support from Sean Shaw.

Party committee leaders will meet Saturday to replace outgoing Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. The 48-year-old former South Carolina Democratic Party leader has served as DNC chairman since January 2021 under former President Joe Biden.

The new Chair will look to revitalize a Democratic Party that gave up Senate and Executive control to President Trump after the 2024 general election. Republicans also maintained control of the House of Representatives, albeit by a slim margin.

Democrats also took tough losses in Florida, which has trended bright red in recent years.

Notably, Fried was re-elected as chair of the Florida Democratic Party last Saturday. The 47-year-old received 78% support on the first ballot over state Sen. Audrey Gibson of Jacksonville.

As chair, Fried oversaw heavy losses in the November election, including from President Donald Trump. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris by 13 points and won 61 of Florida's 67 counties, including Miami-Dade.

Republicans also expanded their supermajority in the House heading into 2025.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, Republicans outnumber Democrats by over 1.1 million registered voters. Just five years ago, Democrats held a slight advantage over Republicans in the state.

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