Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previewed his second term as the Sunshine State’s governor in his inauguration speech Tuesday and pledged to continue the fight against “woke ideology.”
“Florida is where woke goes to die!” DeSantis said in speech that made have set the stage for a presidential run. “We will not allow reality, facts and truth to become optional. We will never surrender to the woke mob.”
He also promised to continue his incredible successes in Florida in spite of what he called the “floundering” federal bureaucracy.“Florida’s success has been made more difficult by the floundering federal establishment in Washington, DC,” DeSantis said. “It wields its authority through a sprawling, unaccountable and out-of-touch bureaucracy that does not act on behalf of us, but instead looms over us and imposes its will upon us.”
“This has caused many to be pessimistic about the country’s future,” DeSantis added. “Some even say that failure is inevitable. Florida is proof positive that we the people are not destined for failure.”
DeSantis, 44, called his state a “refuge of sanity” compared to DC.
“Florida has led the way in preserving what the . . . father of our country called the ‘sacred fire of liberty,’ ” he said.
“It is the fire that burned in Independence Hall when 56 men pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish a new nation conceived in liberty.”
DeSantis was sworn in at about 11:15 a.m. He was joined by his wife, Casey, 42, and their children: Madison, 6; Mason, 4; and Mamie, 2. Casey was wearing a light-colored dress with long, flowing arms that drew comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The popular Florida leader defeated Democrat Charlie Crist in record-breaking fashion in November, winning reelection to the governor’s mansion by nearly 20 points.
His landslide victory contrasted with what was widely seen as disappointing 2022 midterm election results for Republicans across the country, who failed to take control of the US Senate and succeeded in winning the House majority only by a narrow margin.
DeSantis’ shot across the bow national leaders comes as Republican leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) failed to win the House speakership after not gaining the necessary number of votes in three consecutive ballots Tuesday, having been opposed by 20 members of his own party on the final ballot before the House adjourned.
DeSantis is presumed to be a likely 2024 presidential contender, with several polls placing him ahead of former President Donald Trump.
The 76-year-old former president is currently the only declared GOP presidential candidate for 2024.