DeSantis says Florida drivers have right to hit protestors if they need to ‘flee' for ‘safety'
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — During a podcast ahead of Saturday's planned protests, Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized that Florida drivers 'have a right to defend themselves' if they feel threatened.
The governor said drivers will not be held responsible if they hit protestors, as long as it's because they are in fear for their safety.
WATCH: Teen on e-bike flees from Florida woman chasing him in SUV on walking path
'If you are driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety, and so if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that's their fault for impinging on you,' DeSantis said on an episode of 'The Rubin Report' podcast that was released Wednesday night.
The governor's remarks come as people in cities across the nation, including several in Tampa Bay, are expected to engage in 'No Kings' protests in opposition to the Trump Administration and its policies.
The rallies coincide with Trump's military parade in Washington D.C. to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary. The anniversary also happens to fall on the president's birthday.
Tensions have escalated amid protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles, and many have questioned the president's deployment of troops to the area — the legality of which is still being considered in federal court.
There have been reports of anti-ICE protestors blocking roads, including a freeway in Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press.
DeSantis has been openly critical of the demonstrations and California's response.
'You don't have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets, you have a right to defend yourself in Florida,' DeSantis said on the podcast Wednesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
John Oliver Knows What Song He Wants Played at Trump's Funeral: ‘You Can Throw a Bluetooth Speaker Pretty Far!'
Yes, it comes from one of the White House's videos bragging about detaining people John Oliver found a bright spot amongst the 'disgusting' videos the White House keeps posting to tout the number of people they are detaining: a song for the president's eventual funeral playlist. The HBO host's main segment on Sunday's 'Last Week Tonight' focused on immigration enforcement. He immediately called out the administration for gleefully bragging online by posting memes of Trump officials as 'South Park' characters (despite saying the show is 'irrelevant') and the 'Teletubbies' sun, in addition to videos of detainees being marched away, backed by the song 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.' More from TheWrap 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Reboot Taps Chase Sui Wonders as Guest Star Dean Cain Claps Back at John Oliver's ICE Membership Drag, Claims He Stole That 'Mask' Joke Jason Momoa Remembers When He Almost Died Surfing in Hawaii: 'I Literally Gave Up' | Video William H. Macy Boards Dan Fogelman's Hulu NFL Drama Series 'Look, we all know this, but sometimes, it is worth reiterating: this White House is full of the pettiest little bitches imaginable,' Oliver sniped. 'And while that video is obviously disgusting, on the plus side, I now know what song I want played at Trump's funeral.' 'I know it will be hard to get in, but you can throw a Bluetooth speaker pretty far!' he continued. Among the videos and memes that officials have posted is one from a regional Border Patrol office, which shared the scene of Darth Vader violently murdering multiple people in 'Rogue One' as a celebration of its agents in Southern California's premier sector. In it, Vader is labeled as the premier sector, and each person he murders is labeled various other organizations, like cartels and more. Naturally, Oliver tore into it. 'OK, if I may quote an insufferable man on a first Bumble date, have you ever seen 'Star Wars?'' he joked. 'Because that's pretty famously the bad guy. Imagine how morally bankrupt you have to be to watch the most famous villain in cinematic history murdering a bunch of people, some of whom are literally begging for help, and think 'He is so us!'' Later in the show, the comedian revealed that the Department of Homeland Security actually responded to an inquiry about that video, which he mocked even further. That's because their defense was pointing out that Vader used to be Anakin Skywalker, arguing that DHS doesn't need to 'regale the American public on the heroism of Skywalker.' 'Which is just an incredible, deeply s–tty response,' Oliver said. 'I'd honestly love to know their disingenuous takes on other movie villains. 'Actually, if you think about it, Thanos was the real hero of the Avengers movies, because, as any Marvel fan knows, Thanos used to be a baby, and babies aren't evil!'' You can watch John Oliver's main segment in the video above. The post John Oliver Knows What Song He Wants Played at Trump's Funeral: 'You Can Throw a Bluetooth Speaker Pretty Far!' | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Ex-GOP National spox rips commentary rooting against Ukraine-Russia peace deal: 'Absolute shame'
A 'Fox News @ Night' panel weighs in on I.C.E.'s raid outside of a Gavin Newsom event, the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, Washington, D.C. crime data and NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's slamming President Donald Trump.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
‘The View' co-host Ana Navarro urges Gloria Gaynor to turn down Kennedy Center honor because of Trump
'The View' co-host Ana Navarro pleaded with musical icon Gloria Gaynor Thursday to reject her upcoming Kennedy Center award because it will be bestowed by President Donald Trump. In a post on Instagram, the political commentator shared how she once met the 'I Will Survive' singer at a concert and Gaynor gifted Navarro a keychain that belted out her famous song. Advertisement 'Let's just say, during first Trump term, I pressed it til it ran out of batteries,' the anti-Trump commentator wrote. She then expressed her displeasure that Gaynor would be honored at an event hosted by the president. 'Yesterday, Trump announced he picked her to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, which he plans to host. Look, the woman is a goddess and deserves all the flowers that come her way. But I wish she wouldn't accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color and LGBTQ,' she wrote. 'The gay community, in particular, helped turn her signature song into an anthem. Trump is a stain on the prestige and significance of the KCH. Don't do it, Gloria!' Navarro pleaded. Advertisement On Wednesday, Trump, the new Kennedy Center Chairman of the Board, announced the list of entertainers who will receive awards at the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors in December. Gaynor joins country legend George Strait, rock band KISS, Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, and English actor Michael Crawford as the honorees this year. 3 'The View' co-host Ana Navarro took to social media to beg musical icon Gloria Gaynor to decline her upcoming Kennedy Center award because of President Donald Trump's presence. WireImage A rep for Gaynor told Fox News Digital after the announcement Wednesday that she was 'beyond blessed and honored to be receiving this award.' Advertisement 'My hope is that in accepting this honor, I can continue with the inspirational phenomenon that began with 'I Will Survive.' Sharing my music and art on a global level to provide encouragement, hope, empowerment, inspiration, understanding, and unity is the core of my purpose,' the rep for Gaynor shared. 'I've always focused on a creative path that will help others and I hope that being awarded the Kennedy Center honor will help me continue this legacy.' 3 On Instagram, Navarro made a post about how she previously met the 'I Will Survive' singer at a concert while mentioning she shouldn't accept the award from Trump, saying he 'has attacked the rights and history of women.' Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post Gaynor's team has not publicly addressed Navarro's comments and did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment Thursday. Advertisement Trump will host the annual awards show after his overhaul of the Washington, DC, performing arts center in February. Shortly into his second term, Trump fired several Kennedy Center board members, including the president and Chairman of the Board, and replaced them with pro-Trump figures, who then named the president as chair. 3 Gaynor will be joined by country legend George Strait, rock band KISS, Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, and English actor Michael Crawford at the upcoming 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. AP In a February post on Truth Social announcing the changes, Trump vowed to make the performing arts center 'great again,' by removing board members who did not share his administration's 'vision for a Golden Age in arts and culture.' Trump said that drag shows 'targeting' children were one example of programming at the Kennedy Center that would end under his leadership. His actions stirred backlash in the theater and film world, with multiple entertainers, including showrunner Shonda Rhimes, singer Renée Fleming, and actress Issa Rae, resigning from their roles at the Kennedy Center or canceling upcoming performances at the venue in protest.
