In a fiery press conference and subsequent social media posts, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lambasted Vice President Kamala Harris for choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. DeSantis described the duo as “one of the most radical tickets in American history,” pointing to past events and policies as evidence of their unsuitability for national leadership. The announcement of Harris’ choice was made early Tuesday morning, sparking heated debate and discussion across political lines.
Governor DeSantis did not mince words when recalling the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis. “We all remember the BLM riots of 2020 in Minneapolis,” he stated, highlighting Harris’ involvement in supporting the Minnesota Bail Fund, which was used to release protesters arrested during the demonstrations. DeSantis accused Governor Walz of failing to take control during the unrest, which he claims led to widespread destruction in Minneapolis. “Those were riots that Harris egged on and raised money to bail out the rioters with Minnesota Bail Fund, and they’re riots that Tim Walz as governor sat back and let happen. He sat back and let the city of Minneapolis burn. That city has been gutted as a result of those riots.”
According to DeSantis, the Harris-Walz ticket symbolizes the “spirit” of the 2020 protests, embodying what he perceives as a dangerous shift toward more extreme leftist policies. “This is a ticket that really represents the spirit of those 2020 BLM riots,” he continued. “You have a very vapid San Francisco Democrat and then you’ve got an Ilhan Omar-style leftist, Tim Walz, who has the same policies as his fellow Minnesotan Ilhan Omar.”
He further criticized the influence of San Francisco’s policies under Harris and drew comparisons to Minneapolis, stating, “We do not need an America that represents the failed policies of San Francisco or the failed policies of Minneapolis. We do not need to see poop on the street and cities burning down. That is not a prescription for America to work its way back.” DeSantis highlighted demographic shifts as evidence of dissatisfaction with such policies, noting that from 2020 through 2021, people were “five times more likely to move from Minnesota to Florida than vice versa.” He argued that this trend is indicative of citizens fleeing policies they find oppressive or mismanaged.
In 2021, Minnesotans were roughly five times more likely to move to Florida than vice versa.
They were fleeing a state that, under Gov. Tim Walz, turned its back on law and order, increased taxes, and imposed unscientific coronavirus restrictions, harming children and destroying…
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 6, 2024
In a rhetorical flourish, DeSantis asked, “Why would we want that for the United States of America? Where are people going to flee to? We can’t have everybody live in the state of Florida, I can tell you that.” This statement underscored his belief that the national adoption of similar policies could have widespread negative consequences.
On social media, DeSantis branded the Harris-Walz ticket as “Make America Burn Again,” emphasizing what he sees as the extreme nature of their political agenda. He called it the “most left-wing ticket in American history,” raising concerns about the direction in which the nation might head under their leadership.
This selection by Harris and her team has sparked a significant dialogue about the future direction of America. DeSantis’ remarks highlight the fears and apprehensions many conservatives have regarding progressive policies. They worry about an erosion of traditional values and the potential for increased social unrest and economic instability. As the election season heats up, these discussions will undoubtedly play a central role in shaping the national conversation.
