DeSantis, Fine clash over ‘neo-Nazi’ protest responses, record on Jewish issues
MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – Florida Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, and Gov. Ron DeSantis clashed over the governor’s response to “neo-Nazi” protests.
Fine recently criticized the governor for a purported lack of response to demonstrators in Florida. DeSantis and his campaign have promoted his pro-Israel record while defending his handling of demonstrations.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, DeSantis was asked why he didn’t “initially speak out” against neo-Nazi protests.
“Your state has heard from both Marco Rubio and Rick Scott condemning those neo-Nazi protests. Why didn’t you speak out? Why didn’t you use your voice to say that you’re not going to stand for that,” host Kristen Welker asked.
“Of course, we condemn that, I mean, that’s you just look at everything that we’ve done…” DeSantis said, before being interrupted by Welker.
“But you didn’t at the time, governor, according to Randy Fine, you did not at the time,” Welker said.
“Well right – and he’s just trying to create a name for himself, so that’s all nonsense, everybody knows that’s nonsense, and don’t give somebody a 15 minutes of fame just because they’re letting you try to do a preferred narrative just to hit me,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said it’s “nonsense” and “our record is second to none.”
The governor signed a bill in Israel to increase penalties for intimidating or threatening someone based on religious or ethnic heritage. Fine was a co-sponsor of the legislation.
The governor also proposed increased sanctions against Iran and brought back nearly 700 people from Israel under an emergency order.
According to the New York Times, at a campaign stop in New Hampshire, DeSantis said he believes some of the neo-Nazi demonstrators are “fake.”
“I think some of them are fake. I think they’re just trying to get media clicks,” DeSantis said.
“I am disappointed with the Governor’s flippant response to the fears of thousands of Florida’s Jewish parents. I am even more disappointed that the Governor continues to call the rise of Nazis in Florida ‘fake,'” Fine said in a statement Sunday.
Fine said the governor “didn’t mind the fame of signing my bills to tackle antisemitism, in Israel no less” and said he is “not interested in fame for pointing out his failure to use them.”
Fine also said instead of talking about him, DeSantis should “protect Jewish children and families.”
“I will fight for that for far more than 15 minutes,” Fine said.
My statement in response to @GovRonDeSantis attacking me on @MeetThePress:
— Rep. Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) October 29, 2023
I am disappointed with the Governor’s flippant response to the fears of thousands of Florida’s Jewish parents. I am even more disappointed that the Governor continues to call the rise of Nazis in Florida…
Last week, Fine flipped his 2024 presidential endorsement from DeSantis to former President Donald Trump and claimed the governor “said almost nothing” with regards to alleged antisemitic incidents in Florida.
Fine wrote an article that was published in the Washington Times on Oct. 23 and said he “loves” DeSantis’ words, but his actions have “broken” his heart.
The lawmaker said 18 months ago, multiple alleged antisemitic incidents happened in Florida, but “until a few weeks ago, Governor DeSantis said almost nothing. And worse, he did almost nothing.”
Fine said the past two weeks have made him realize “our choice as Jews is simple.”
“We can vote for the Governor who says all the right things, or we can vote for the President who actually does them. When it comes to action, Donald Trump has never let us down,” Fine wrote.
Fine said he helped fund a state Holocaust memorial before DeSantis got elected, but five years later, they “haven’t broken ground.”
“Governor DeSantis has taken longer to commemorate the deaths of six million Jews than it took the Allies to stop the deaths of six million more,” Fine said.
In response to Fine’s claims, the DeSantis campaign said the governor has led the charge to support Israel.
“This is nothing more than shameful political theater at a time when Ron DeSantis is leading the charge to support Israel,” DeSantis campaign spokesperson Bryan Griffin said.
“From working to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, to combatting antisemitism throughout Florida and its schools, to securing funding for security at Jewish schools and synagogues, there’s never been a more pro-Israel Governor.”
