Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis made a trip to New York City and visited Staten Island on Monday, February 20th. DeSantis made an appearance as a “special guest for a discussion on protecting Law and Order in New York” at Prive catering hall. The special appearance was attended by local law enforcement members, Republicans, and Lee Zeldin, the former New York congressman.
DeSantis Criticizes New York Justice System
DeSantis criticized New York’s bail reform laws. “I read that New York is the only state that doesn’t allow judges to consider — when they’re making a bail determination — whether someone’s a danger to the community,” the 44-year-old Florida Governor said.
“How does that make any sense? Is that making your community any safer, to be doing that? Of course not. So you need to do things like repeal these failed pieces of legislation.”
“We’re doing it right in Florida, and my message is — if you’re disenchanted, if you don’t think things are gonna turn around wherever you are, not just in New York, wherever, just know that there’s a state that that’s doing it right,” DeSantis said, his words directed to law enforcement officers. “There’s a state that will value your service and more importantly than just someone like me going out there and doing it.”
Mayor Adams Fires Shot
Mayor Eric Adams tweeted at the Florida Governor, expressing exactly how he feels about DeSantis.
“Welcome to NYC, @GovRonDeSantis, a place where we don’t ban books, discriminate against our LGBTQ+ neighbors, use asylum seekers as props, or let the government stand between a woman and health care,” Adams wrote.
“We’re happy to teach you something about values while you’re here,” he added.
Response to Mayor Adams
Christina Pushaw, an aide for DeSantis, responded to Mayor Adams’ tweet. “Nice rhetoric — but here’s reality: More Americans fled NYC than any other metro area last year. More Americans moved to Florida than any other state,” she wrote. “You know this, Mayor Adams, and you’ve talked (accurately) about crime pushing people out of NYC. Florida’s crime rate meanwhile is at a 50 year low. Maybe it’s you who can learn from @RonDeSantisFL?”
New York has seen a reduction in its population due to a variety of factors including a rise in crime and high cost of living. LittleAfrica News covered the movement of Black families from New York to other states.
Mayor Adams and DeSantis have not enjoyed a cordial relationship. They have clashed in the past, with Adams criticizing DeSantis over his treatment of asylum seeking migrants and the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. While DeSantis has gained popularity in the Republican party and is seen as a possible presidential candidate in next year’s election, his state has gained infamy for banning books and courses on African American History.
