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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has doubled down on his state’s firm stance regarding self-defense laws and zero tolerance for violent protests, warning that residents are fully within their rights to protect themselves if threatened by rioters.
Speaking during an appearance on The Rubin Report, DeSantis issued a clear message amid a backdrop of escalating protests across the country in response to President Donald Trump’s latest immigration enforcement actions.
The Governor emphasized that Florida does not expect its citizens to stand by passively when confronted by violent mobs or road-blocking demonstrators.
“If you’re driving and a mob surrounds your car, threatening you — you have every right to flee for your safety,” DeSantis stated. “And if that results in someone being injured, that’s on the people who endangered you.”
His remarks come as protests, some of which have devolved into riots, spread through major cities including New York, Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Law enforcement in Florida, however, has been quick to respond to any potential unrest, and so far the state has avoided large-scale incidents.
“We’ve had a proactive approach here in Florida,” DeSantis noted. “Law enforcement doesn’t let these gatherings spiral out of control. We shut it down before it becomes dangerous.”
The Governor’s comments underscore Florida’s longstanding legal position: residents have the right to use force, including deadly force, if they believe they are in immediate danger. These protections fall under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” laws, which allow for broad interpretation in cases of perceived self-defense.
DeSantis further criticized the idea of activists taking over public streets.
“People need to get to work, emergency vehicles need to move — you can’t just shut down cities because you don’t like federal policy,” he said.
While Florida maintains tight control over protests, other parts of the country are grappling with growing tensions. In California, leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are facing scrutiny for comments that appear to sympathize with protestors opposing immigration enforcement.
Federal officials argue the ICE operations are targeted, focusing on individuals with serious criminal convictions and final deportation orders. But scenes of unrest and confrontations have sparked criticism of how some cities are handling the crisis.
Florida, by contrast, continues to project a firm message: public safety takes priority, and residents have the full backing of the state to protect themselves when threatened.
As demonstrations are expected to persist into the weekend, Florida law enforcement remains vigilant, and the Governor reiterated that while peaceful protests are permitted, criminal activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
