Ron DeSantis

Americans who have given what Abraham Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion” occupy a special place in our nation’s history. As we commemorate America 250 by celebrating the birth of freedom represented by the Declaration of Independence, it is important to point out that not a single Founding Father believed either the Declaration or the Constitution (created in the decade following the American Revolution) guaranteed the perpetuation of a free society. They all understood that creating a framework for a republican form of government was necessary but not sufficient to ensure the preservation of individual liberty. The American experiment would require hard work — and each generation of Americans would have to do its part when freedom was at risk. No group has given more in service of this experiment than those who we honor on Memorial Day. Without their sacrifice, the preservation of a constitutional system would be impossible — and there would not be a celebration for America 250. They fought the good fight, they finished the race, they kept the faith. And we will be forever in their debt.

We recognize the value of strong coaches and strive to ensure that student-athletes have the opportunities they need to thrive. Together, the bills I signed today will strengthen Florida's K-12 athletic programs and support the students and coaches who help them achieve their potential.

Great to be in Jacksonville this morning to sign two bills that expand opportunities for student participation in athletics and extracurricular activities. This legislation supports our K-12 coaches and student athletes, making Florida more competitive to recruit great coaches who will have a positive impact on their community. SB 538 provides school districts with greater flexibility in compensation for athletic coaches. It also ensures that students enrolled in charter, private, virtual, and homeschool options will have the same access to sports and other extracurricular programs as their peers in traditional public schools. SB 178, the Teddy Bridgewater Act, is named for a football coach who was unjustly suspended from Miami Northwestern High School because he paid with his personal funds for meals and rides for his players from under-privileged backgrounds. In Florida, we want to encourage mentorship — not punish it. This legislation creates a structured and transparent way for coaches to provide assistance using personal funds, with safeguards like parental consent, reporting requirements, and clear oversight.

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Promote Youth Athletics and Extracurriculars x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Governor DeSantis Speaks at Federalist Society Executive Branch Summit x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Congrats to Dr. Stuart Bell on being selected by the University of Florida to be the next university president. Dr. Bell did much to elevate the University of Alabama when he was the president in Tuscaloosa and I have no doubt that he will help UF reach new heights during his tenure in Gainesville. He is a great selection and has my full support!

Governor DeSantis Hosts Roundtable on Property Taxes x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

We can have the highest academic standards, the strongest workforce programs, and the most innovative pathways for students, but we must also continue our focus on the safety of our students and educators. We made historic strides to implement school safety measures that are working to protect our schools. Today, I was proud to build on these efforts by signing HB 757, which enhances campus security requirements and best practices at our colleges and universities throughout Florida.

Great to be at the Florida Department of Education Commissioner’s Summit in Miami today to sign HB 757, which enhances school safety measures at our colleges and universities. This legislation protects students and makes campuses more secure by: ✔️ Expanding Florida’s School Guardian Program to public higher education institutions ✔️ Transferring threat assessment reports and psychological evaluations in K-12 student records to a Florida postsecondary institution upon the student’s enrollment ✔️ Establishing faculty training and threat management teams to intervene with students displaying behavioral health issues ✔️ Requiring an annual security risk assessment at every campus in Florida We will continue to champion policies that keep our students safe in Florida’s institutions of higher learning.

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Improve Campus Security x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

We honor President James Madison for his integral role in the founding of our nation and the American acquisition of Florida. As part of our commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial this year, we have unveiled statues of great Americans throughout our state. With this new statue in Madison County, we now have statues of our Founding Fathers in every Florida county that is named for a founder. These statues symbolize Florida’s commitment to celebrating our nation’s history and the great men who laid the foundation for the American experiment.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, we have commissioned statues of our Founding Fathers and other great Americans across Florida. Today, I was pleased to unveil the tenth installment in this series: A new statue of President James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution,” in the county that bears his name. With the Madison statue complete, every county in Florida named for one of our Founders now has a statue of their namesake.

Governor DeSantis Unveils Statue of James Madison in Madison County x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Florida proves that states can successfully fight fentanyl and the cartels. Thanks to our investments and policies to empower law enforcement, drug-related deaths declined significantly last year. When you give law enforcement the tools they need, they deliver results. If we want to keep saving lives and stopping the flow of deadly drugs into our communities, we must invest in our law enforcement and correctional personnel.

One of my top priorities as governor has been to stop the flow of deadly drugs into Florida communities. In 2023, we established the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program, which supports large-scale operations to take down traffickers and seize fentanyl. I have also signed legislation to increase penalties for drug dealers and to crack down on illegal immigration, which is tied to cartel operations. Our efforts are saving lives. The latest FDLE report shows that statewide drug-related deaths decreased by 19 percent overall from January through June of 2025. Deaths from fentanyl—the most common drug involved in overdose fatalities—declined by 46 percent. These results happened because Florida has backed law enforcement. We’ve empowered state troopers and local agencies to aggressively target traffickers, and we’ve given officers the resources needed to get the job done. We must continue to build on this progress. That is why I am recommending additional pay raises for state law enforcement officers, as well as correctional personnel, in this year’s budget.

Governor DeSantis Highlights Florida’s Progress in Reducing Opioid Overdose Deaths x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Florida has become a leader in protecting animals and holding accountable those who harm them. Today, we built on that record with new legislation to strengthen penalties for animal abuse and improve consumer protections for pet owners.   HB 559 gives law enforcement and local communities additional tools to crack down on animal abuse, including new felony penalties for horrific acts of animal cruelty. SB 1004 enhances legal protections for Floridians who buy and own pets and provides real accountability for businesses that violate the law. Florida is a law-and-order state. We will not tolerate those who abuse and exploit innocent animals, and we will defend the rights of responsible pet owners.

Great to be at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee today to sign legislation to enhance our already strong laws against animal cruelty in Florida. HB 559 makes it a felony for adults to encourage minors to participate in or witness animal cruelty, increases penalties for animal fighting offenses, requires psychological treatment for juveniles who abuse animals, and expands requirements for offenders registered in the FDLE animal abuser database. I was also proud to sign SB 1004, which expands consumer protections for pet owners by revising requirements for dog and cat sellers. This legislation protects against deceptive financing tactics, extends the timeframe for pet owners to seek remedies for sick animals, and removes caps on vet cost reimbursements. To ensure transparency, this bill also requires additional medical record disclosures so that people have access to important health information before bringing a new pet home. In Florida, anyone who mistreats or exploits animals—or tries to defraud those who care about them—will be held accountable.

Governor DeSantis Signs Animal Welfare and Pet Owner Protection Bills x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Florida’s management and expansion of Gulf red snapper season has been a major boon for communities along the Gulf Coast, allowing many more Floridians and visitors alike to enjoy the red snapper our waters have to offer. This year, our Gulf red snapper season—which kicks off on May 22—will be the longest recreational season on record, a total of 140 days. Red snapper fishing in Florida is a great way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday this year!