GOP Governor Ron DeSantis Says 'Lockdowner' Biden Targeting Florida Despite Pandemic Success
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said Sunday during a Fox News interview that Florida's housing and economic situation is "thriving," which has prompted "lockdowner" Democrats like President Joe Biden to target the state's success.
DeSantis reacted to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky after they floated ideas of pre-flight testing and domestic air travel restrictions—although the White House said they aren't recommending such measures. DeSantis said many Democratic governors are "putting people out of business," and are hoping to implement such punitive measures in states like Florida through federal restrictions.
"It would be unconstitutional, it would be a political attack against Florida," he said during his television interview with host Maria Bartiromo. "If you look right now, you hear this debate about schools, Florida schools have been open the whole school year and every parent in Florida has the right to send their child to in-person instruction, every worker has the right to work and earn a living."
"[New York has] way higher per capita patients hospitalized right now, so there's no basis in medical, no basis in economics or in reality except to punish a state that is doing it better than what his experts have recommended. Biden is a lockdowner, his advisers are lockdowners. Lockdowns don't work, we've demonstrated that. We're not turning back Maria, and they won't be able to get away with targeting Florida," DeSantis continued.
"We focus on lifting people up," he also said. "People view Florida as a place where they can follow their dreams. It is a free state."
DeSantis placed heavy emphasis on Florida's economy experiencing an upswing even though the pandemic began last March and April during what would have been prime vacation and tourism time. He reiterated "kids stay in school, home construction is up, home sales are up, economic growth" is booming.
During remarks to reporters last week in promotion of his "Seniors First" vaccination campaign, the Republican governor said elderly Florida residents should be first in line.
"While some other states are doing it differently, in Florida we are putting our parents and grandparents first, ensuring that every senior who wants a shot, gets a shot," DeSantis said.
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis' Florida office as well as the White House for additional remarks or reaction Sunday afternoon.
