Florida Governor Makes Good on Promise to Pardon COVID 'Criminals'
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made it very, very clear that The Sunshine State is not, and was not ever, in favor of curbing Americans’ freedoms on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sure, there were some locales, (like Miami), who imposed curfews and other measures meant to crack down on some of the over partying during Spring Break, but even those moves were given the side-eye by DeSantis.
Now the Florida leader is taking this sentiment a step farther.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s Clemency Board granted pardons Wednesday for Floridians with lingering fines issued for violating mask mandates implemented by local governments.
“This action is necessary so that we can recover, have a good transition to normal operations, and also just a recognition that a lot of this stuff was way, way overboard,” DeSantis said.
Democratic candidate for governor Nikki Fried was the only member on the board to oppose the pardons, according to local news outlet Fox 13.
“I voted today to uphold our laws, while our so-called pro-law enforcement governor is actively encouraging people to break the law with politically motivated stunts like this,” Fried said in a statement following a Wednesday clemency board meeting.
DeSantis is widely believed to have grander political aspirations, and this high-profile declaration of liberty is undoubtedly going to benefit his PR strategy as well.