Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says that Floridians have a right to use their vehicles to hit protesters if they feel the need to “flee for your safety.” The governor’s remarks, made during an appearance on The Rubin Report on Wednesday, come just days before planned “No Kings” protests across the state, which organizers assert will be non-violent.
During the interview, DeSantis elaborated on his stance, saying, “We also have a policy that if you’re 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.”
He further added that drivers should not be “a sitting duck” or allow a “mob” to drag them from their cars.
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“In Florida, violence is not condoned, and residents have the right to defend themselves and their families,” said Molly Best, deputy press secretary for the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida.
The discussion on The Rubin Report stemmed from host Dave Rubin asking DeSantis about his policies regarding protesters who “take over a street without a permit.”
Rubin cited a recent incident in Chicago where a driver sped through a crowd, injuring a 66-year-old woman, though footage reportedly showed no clear antagonism from protesters.
Florida has been firm in its stance against what it deems “violent” protests. Attorney General James Uthmeier, alongside federal and state law enforcement leaders, recently reiterated that any “rioting” would be “nipped in the bud right away.”
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a stark warning, stating, “If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead.”
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These strong declarations are being made in response to protests in other parts of the country, particularly those that have turned violent against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Governor DeSantis stressed that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, Florida will not “sit idly by and let the inmates run the asylum” if demonstrations cross into violence or obstruction.
Florida’s current statutes outline clear rules for protests, including prohibitions within 500 feet of certain sensitive locations during specific times and outlawing the willful interruption of lawful gatherings. Penalties for violations can include fines and imprisonment.
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Florida is not alone in taking a hard line on protests. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also deployed over 5,000 National Guard troops and 2,000 state police to manage demonstrations against President Trump and federal immigration raids.
As “No Kings” protests approach, the governor’s controversial remarks on vehicular self-defense are likely to remain a central point of discussion, underscoring the escalating tensions surrounding protest rights and public safety.
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