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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis indirectly condemns Trump indictment on campaign trail

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis indirectly condemns Trump indictment on campaign trail


As he hit the campaign trail this weekend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended former President Donald Trump after he was indicted for his alleged mishandling of classified documents, but noted that he would have received punishment if he had taken home classified documents as a naval officer

In a speech at the North Carolina Republican convention on Friday, DeSantis referenced the decision by former FBI director James Comey  to recommend no charges be filed in the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was the nation’s top diplomat. But his comments came as Trump was charged with 37 felony counts related to his handling of classified material after he left the White House in 2021.  

“As a naval officer, if I would have taken classified [documents] to my apartment, I would have been court-martialed in a New York minute,” DeSantis said. 

“Is there a different standard for a Democrat secretary of state versus a former Republican president?” DeSantis added. “I think there needs to be one standard of justice in this country. Let’s enforce it on everybody and make sure we all know the rules. You can’t have one faction of society weaponizing the power of the state against factions that it doesn’t like and that’s what you see.”

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GOP Presidential Hopefuls Attend North Carolina Republican Convention
Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivers remarks June 9, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Trump was given a prime speaking slot Saturday night at the same North Carolina Republican convention, where he railed against the indictment and showed no sign of stepping away from the 2024 race. A CBS News poll conducted last week showed Trump still maintained a nearly 40-point edge over DeSantis, who is still seen as the greatest threat to Trump in the 2024 race. 

A day later, at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, DeSantis did not directly reference Trump’s indictment. Instead, he called for the end of the “weaponization” of law enforcement. 

Joe Young, a veteran and Republican, told CBS News at a rodeo DeSantis attended in Ponca City, Okla. that he also would have been punished if he mishandled classified information. 

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“I was in the military for 20 years,” Young said. “Anybody that blatantly disregards classified information, well, they should be held accountable. If it was me that did it, my ass would already be in prison.” 

DeSantis did not answer a question on Saturday on whether he had read the full Trump indictment. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who endorsed DeSantis during the Tulsa rally, called the indictment “a political tool to take out an opponent.”

“The weaponization of the federal government is very, very concerning for Americans and Oklahomans,” he told reporters at the rodeo.

A video posted Saturday by the pro-DeSantis super PAC “Never Back Down” criticizes the DOJ for the indictment, and echoes DeSantis’ critiques of Hunter Biden and the “weaponization” of federal agencies. 

In the indictment that was unsealed Friday, the Justice Department alleged Trump kept the classified documents in boxes stored at Mar-a-Lago, including in a bathroom and shower, a ballroom and his bedroom. The documents allegedly contained information on U.S. nuclear programs, potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. and its allies to a military attack and plans for potential retaliation in response to an attack, according to the indictment. 

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“The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods,” the indictment said. 

Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, is also alleged to have shown the classified documents to people who lacked a security clearance and also to have obstructed the National Archives and Records Administration and the Justice Department’s efforts to recover the documents. 

After Trump broke the news Thursday night that he was being indicted, DeSantis said the decision to bring charges was a “weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society.” 

“We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation,” he said in a tweet. “Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter [Biden]?” 

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Recreational pot for Florida is on the ballot this fall—let’s talk about it

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Recreational pot for Florida is on the ballot this fall—let’s talk about it


Carlos Hermida (R) at the WMNF studio in Tampa, Florida on July 5, 2024.

In four months, Florida voters have the opportunity to vote yes or no on an initiative to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older.

Amendment 3 would also allow individuals to possess up to three ounces of marijuana, with up to five grams in the form of concentrate (see full text of the ballot amendment below).

Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.

The amendment—which can only pass if at least 60% of voters vote “yes”—arrives eight years after Florida voters approved the use of medical marijuana in the state.

Supporters of the bill include Smart & Safe Florida and billboard-dominating lawyer John Morgan, citing potential tax revenue and safety for purchasers who won’t have to buy weed from un-regulated sources.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for his part, has vowed to fight the passage of Amendment 3, and said, “we cannot have every town smelling like marijuana.”

Three guests joined The Skinny to discuss Amendment 3 and more.

  • Carlos Hermida Founder of Chillum Mushroom & Hemp
  • Christopher Cano Board of Directors at NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)
  • Pete Sessa Co-Founder of Cannadelic and the Florida Cannabis Coalition

Check out audio from the show via wmnf.org. Listen via podcast services like Apple Music, TuneIn, and Spotify.





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Florida Gators Offense set to Shine in 2024

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Florida Gators Offense set to Shine in 2024


Regardless of what happens to the Florida Gators during the 2024 season, you cannot blame scheme design at all. In a world of copycat offenses, Billy Napier decided to take an existing offense in the spread and tweak the finer details. As a result, Florida can affect every level and layer of defense. 

With that, and the numerous personnel shifts, Napier goes deep in his bag to keep the defense guessing. To a distant eye, the defense looks like just a quarterback-friendly scheme that only suits the passer. Yet, the Gators effectively ran the ball under Napier. Now, what can you expect in 2024 from the Florida offense?

Urgency

Make no mistake, the heat of the Florida sun combined with the warmness of the coaching seat exists in earnest for Billy Napier. Florida fans, alums, and administration demand excellence from a program that should always compete for great bowl games and more.

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With hundreds of quality recruits in Florida, the Gators cannot afford another poor showing on the field after three-straight seven-loss seasons. Actually, Billy Napier cannot afford another. Not only are the wolves at the door, but they’ve managed to pick the lock and make themselves at home in the living room. With that, expect to see Florida take more chances this season. 

Granted, before this, Napier didn’t exude any conservative play-calling tendencies. Envision the scene in Rocky III. After intense training, Rocky wants to stop for the day, mentioning the word tomorrow. Apollo Creed’s response is “There is no tomorrow.” Basically, for Billy Napier, every game will either cement his status or weaken it.

Secret Weapon

When reviewing Florida on offense, you can immediately tell that Billy Napier loves 12 personnel. Basically, 12 personnel feature one running back and two tight ends. Now, add in shotgun and playmakers that can catch. 

More importantly, the players that may not draw the defense’s attention could end up hurting them the most. For example, redshirt sophomore tight end Arlis Boardingham will continue to beat defenses while not receiving an overabundance of targets.

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Boardingham, a converted wideout, continues to find his way into the position. For the moment, he presents an explosive receiver-like to the offense, in lieu of crushing in-line blocking. Instead, Boardingham traces routes underneath with the ability to stick the foot in the ground and head downfield.  While the receivers will see the most targets, look for him to sneak out and wreak havoc in the open field.

Beneficiary

Perhaps no one will reap the rewards more than running back Montrell Johnson. Despite leading the team in yards and carries, Johnson will enjoy more touches since Trevor Etienne bolted for Athens and the University of Georgia. 

He should post the first thousand-yard season for the Gators since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. Along with the use of 12 personnel, Florida will throw multiple looks at the defense, with the intention of creating space for the run game. With Johnson’s decisiveness as a running back, he should eclipse the thousand-yard mark with a few games to spare.

Graham Mertz returns as quarterback, and he had his best season under Napier and the Gators after four yeas at Wisconsin. Last year’s prized recruit DJ Lagway should find his way on the field as well, but Napier, Mertz, and the Gators should conduct an efficient, effective offense this fall.

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Ohio tourist bitten by shark at Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water

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Ohio tourist bitten by shark at Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water


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An Ohio tourist was bitten at a Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water on the Fourth of July, officials said.

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Authorities said that the 21-year-old from Ohio was playing football in knee-deep water at New Smyrna Beach when the shark bit him on his right foot.

Police said that the attack happened at 4 p.m. on Thursday – the Fourth of July.

The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

SHARK ATTACKS 4 PEOPLE AT TEXAS BEACH ON FOURTH OF JULY: POLICE

General view of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, during spring break Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Larry Paci for Fox News Digital)

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The Fourth of July shark attack came after four people were injured at a beach in Texas the same day.

The South Padre Island Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area confirmed to Fox News Digital that four people were injured during the encounter with the ocean predator on South Padre Island in the state’s southern coast.

SHARK WATCH: TRIATHLETE DRAGGED UNDERWATER DURING SHARK BLITZ: ‘YOU DON’T HAVE AN ARM… WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?’

Police said that the attacks happened at approximately 11 a.m. local time along Beach Access 14, near Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill.

Tiger Shark, Bahamas

Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, Bahamas, Grand Bahama Island, Atlantic Ocean   (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

The shark encounter with the 21-year-old comes after Florida was recently named the shark capital of the world.

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The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File found the most unprovoked shark attacks in the world in the Sunshine State, specifically in Volusia County, where there have been 351 attacks since 1882. 

Fox News Digital’s Ashlyn Messier contributed to this report.



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