News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Questions, confusion and fallout follows DeSantis' migrant transport

Friday, September 16, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Questions, confusion and fallout follows DeSantis' migrant transport

Sep 16, 2022

Hello and welcome to Friday.

Front and center — The decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis to relocate a group of roughly 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday to protest immigration policies of the Biden administration has sparked national attention and plenty of outrage from Democrats and immigration activists.

Let's round up what we know:

The migrants appear to have never reached Florida. While the DeSantis administration has declined to answer detailed questions on the relocation operation, some of the migrants who arrived in Massachusetts have told media outlets about being approached in San Antonio and given promises of help. One migrant told the Boston Globe that a woman took him and others to a Texas hotel where she gave them meals and offered to help with paperwork. They were then put on a plane. NPR quoted migrants who said they were told they were going to Boston.

Plane records obtained by media outlets show the flights originated in Texas, stopped briefly in Crestview, Fla., and the Carolinas, then traveled to Martha's Vineyard.

The administration of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott — whose office has offered details about its long-running program of bussing migrants, including its use of consent waivers — said that "we were not involved" in sending the planes to Massachusetts.

DeSantis sharply defended the operation during a press conference on Thursday. He blasted the Biden administration for its immigration policies and said they were working on "innovative ways" to protect Florida including helping people seek "greener pastures" and ship them to "sanctuary jurisdictions." "The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk," he said.

Democrats — from the White House all the way to Massachusetts to California — blasted DeSantis over the relocation. Rep. Charlie Crist said the incident shows that DeSantis is unqualified to be governor. President Joe Biden on Thursday evening said that what DeSantis and Abbott were doing with migrants was "reckless" and "un-American."

While many conservatives cheered DeSantis on, some Republicans — such as Sen. Rick Scott — did not comment directly on whether they supported what the governor did and instead called on Biden to "secure the border."

So what happens next? — Elected officials such as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have suggested that federal authorities should investigate Florida's relocation of the migrants. Newsom said if migrants were lured on to the plane under false pretenses then it could be illegal.

When asked by POLITICO, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins said her office plans to speak to the Department of Justice about DeSantis flying migrants into Martha's Vineyard. Axios, meanwhile, reported that White House officials and Cabinet members had already planned to discuss "litigation options" against GOP governors over their relocation efforts before DeSantis took action.

What we don't know is whether the DeSantis administration has additional plans at this time. Florida legislators gave the governor $12 million to relocate migrants, although the budget item suggested it was to pay to transport them out of Florida, not other states. In August, DeSantis said Biden was no longer sending migrants to Florida so the program was on hold. Obviously that changed this week. Stay tuned.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com

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DRIVING THE DAY

FRONT AND CENTER — GOP governors put focus on migrants with Martha's Vineyard transport, by POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky, Sue Allan and Gary Fineout: The decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fly migrants to Martha's Vineyard, a summer enclave for the nation's elite, drew a particularly harsh rebuke from Democrats who said the Florida governor had gone too far. President Joe Biden on Thursday night said that the administration has a process in place to migrants at the border and Republicans shouldn't interfere with "political stunts." "Republicans are playing politics with human beings, using them as props. What they're doing is simply wrong," he said, speaking at a gala for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday flew two planes of immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration's failed border policies. | Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP

ON THE GROUND — "As officials scramble to aid migrants, Democrats question whether DeSantis' move was illegal," by Boston Globe's Brian MacQuarrie and Samantha J. Gross: "Massachusetts officials began searching Thursday for longer-term housing and legal aid for dozens of Venezuelan migrants who were flown unannounced to Martha's Vineyard this week, while immigration lawyers and Democratic politicians called for an investigation into whether their abrupt relocation to the island was illegal. Governor Charlie Baker said the state is exploring using Joint Base Cape Cod for temporary shelter and humanitarian services for the migrants, some of whom said they were lured by the promise of jobs and other services."

NOT THE FIRST TIME HE SAID IT, BUT — "DeSantis gave GOP donors a glimpse of plans for migrant flights," by Washington Post's Josh Dawsey, Michael Scherer and Isaac Arnsdorf: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told the Republican Party's top donors last weekend he was considering transporting migrants to places like Martha's Vineyard — just days before he secretly started the flights to the Massachusetts island. 'I do have this money. I want to be helpful. Maybe we will go to Texas and help. Maybe we'll send to Chicago, Hollywood, Martha's Vineyard. Who knows?' he said to applause in a speech Friday evening at the Four Seasons in Orlando, where hundreds of the party's top donors gathered to hear him, according to a detailed account by a person in the room."

HAPPENING TODAY — Crist is filing a Sunshine Law request for all emails, texts and all forms of internal communication regarding Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to transport migrants to Martha's Vineyard. The request also asks for contracts and proposals surrounding the program. "Ron DeSantis decided to traffick human beings on Florida taxpayers dime to score political points. It was cruel, it was probably illegal, and he owes the people of our state answers," Crist said in a statement. "Floridians have been forced to foot the bill for this governor to play his heartless political games, but we're holding him accountable."

— "DeSantis' defense of Martha's Vineyard flights prompts more questions," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos and Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower

— " Migrants on Martha's Vineyard say they were told they were going to Boston," by NPR's Eve Zuckoff

— "After Republicans escalate migrant busing scheme, White House condemns 'chaos ,'" by ABC News Alexandra Hutzler

— "Cruel or harmless? Pastors mixed on GOP migrant transports," by The Associated Press' Peter Smith

— "In Miami, county mayor to DeSantis: Don't use Venezuelans to 'score political points,'" by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks

— " Venezuelans slam DeSantis after migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard," by Tampa Bay Times' Juan Carlos Chavez

CAMPAIGN MODE

FOR YOUR RADAR — DeSantis draft effort pushes ahead after campaign finance watchdog deadlocks, by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro: A high-spending effort to draft Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis into the 2024 presidential race has promised to forge ahead with an unusual attempt to boost his would-be campaign, after the Federal Election Commission deadlocked on a request for guidance about whether the strategy was legal. The group, Ready for Ron, is a federal PAC with the goal of building a list of up to 1 million people urging DeSantis to run for president. But along with those names, the group wants to deliver would-be supporters' email addresses and phone numbers to DeSantis — a potential treasure trove of information for a presidential campaign.

POWER PLAY — Crist slams DeSantis, Florida Power & Light — vows to rein in utilities, by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist on Thursday released a plan to rein in utilities' political influence and said electricity rates would come down if he is elected governor. During a press conference in Pensacola, he suggested that Gov. Ron DeSantis had allowed Florida Power & Light Co. to collect $5 billion more from customers over four years in a deal that was approved by the Public Service Commission through a settlement with environmental groups and the Office of Public Counsel.

— " Seminole GOP chair convicted in 'ghost' candidate scheme asks for new trial," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin

— " Democrats using Mitch McConnell's words to troll Rick Scott at Miami fundraiser," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

— "'Ghost' candidate claim in Osceola commission race sparks lawsuit, investigation ," by Orlando Sentinel's Natalia Jaramillo

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

AND AWAY WE GO — Judge appoints special master, rejects DOJ bid to delay Mar-a-Lago ruling, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein: U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday rejected a Justice Department demand to let federal prosecutors continue their review of records marked classified that were recovered from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. In her ruling, Cannon refused to accept department officials' contention that the records they are trying to review as part of an ongoing criminal investigation remain highly classified or contain extraordinarily sensitive defense information that could damage national security if released.

— Meet the Brooklyn judge now at the epicenter of the Mar-a-Lago records case, by POLITICO's Erin Durkin

THE CHRIS KISE FILES — Trump's Save America paid $3 million to cover top lawyer's legal work, by POLITICO's Betsy Woodruff Swan: Donald Trump's outside spending arm has paid $3 million to cover attorney Chris Kise's legal work representing the former president, according to three people familiar with the arrangement. The $3 million paid by Save America PAC is a significant sum, and comes as Trump faces a number of federal and state probes that will require substantial legal help. It may not cover all the work Kise will do for Trump. Kise is representing the former president on both the Justice Department's probe of the Jan. 6 attack and on the investigation of the sensitive documents Trump brought with him to Mar-a-Lago after his presidency ended.

Attorney Chris Kise was formerly Florida solicitor general, has argued successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court and has close ties to top GOP elected officials in Florida. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

'THEY WILL NOT STAND STILL' — Trump warns of 'problems' like 'we've never seen' if he's indicted , by POLITICO's Myah Ward and Andrew Desiderio: Former President Donald Trump said Thursday the nation would face "problems ... the likes of which perhaps we've never seen" if he is indicted over his handling of classified documents after leaving office, an apparent suggestion that such a move by the Justice Department could spark violence from Trump's supporters. The former president said an indictment wouldn't stop him from running for the White House again and repeatedly said Americans "would not stand" for his prosecution.

'MULTIPRONGED' — "The Justice Dept's Jan. 6 investigation is looking at … everything," by Washington Post's Devlin Barrett, Jacqueline Alemany, Josh Dawsey and Rosalind S. Helderman: "Dozens of subpoenas issued last week show that the Justice Department is seeking vast amounts of information, and communications with more than 100 people, as part of its sprawling inquiry into the origins, fundraising and motives of the effort to block Joe Biden from being certified as president in early 2021. The subpoenas, three of which were reviewed by The Washington Post, are far-reaching, covering 18 separate categories of information, including any communications the recipients had with scores of people in six states where supporters of then-President Donald Trump sought to promote "alternate" electors to replace electors in those states won by Biden."

— Gotta keep 'em separated: Why the Jan. 6 panel is keeping distance from DOJ's Trump probes, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu

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DATELINE D.C.

HISTORY — "Milestone for Miami: First Haitian-American nominee for U.S. attorney named by Biden," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver and David Ovalle: "Miami attorney Markenzy Lapointe, a former U.S. Marine and federal prosecutor who was raised in Haiti and Liberty City, was nominated Thursday by President Joe Biden to become the next U.S. attorney in South Florida. If confirmed by the Senate, Lapointe, 54, would become the first Black lawyer to serve in the most powerful federal law enforcement position in South Florida. Lapointe has long been considered the front-runner for the position because of his broad legal background and American Dream immigrant backstory — a combination that aligns with Biden's 2020 campaign pledge to appoint more people of color and women to federal leadership and judicial posts."

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

NEXT ROUND — "Nikki Fried's ethics case on finances will go before a judge," by News Service of Florida: "An administrative law judge will hold a hearing on allegations that Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried violated state law by not properly disclosing personal financial information. The state Commission on Ethics this week sent the case to the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, where a judge will conduct a hearing. The ethics commission in December issued an order finding "probable cause" that Fried did not properly report income in 2017 and 2018 on financial-disclosure forms."

— " Medicaid $15 minimum wage takes effect Oct. 1, but providers say they won't have the money," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

TO THE VOTERS — "Judge rules Orange County rent control ordinance can stay on the ballot," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak: "Orange County voters will get to decide a rent-cap ordinance that may not survive future court challenges, a judge ruled. "There is public good in the democratic process and in allowing the public to exercise their right to express their opinion on this issue, even if that is all it will ever be, an opinion," Circuit Judge Jeff Ashton said Thursday in a nine-page order rejecting a landlord group's request to take the measure off the Nov. 8 ballot."

THE LATEST FROM TOM GRADY — "State Board member: Broward superintendent should be removed over grand jury and masks," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Scott Travis: "A State Board of Education leader suggested Thursday that Broward Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright should be removed from her job, both for issues outlined in a grand jury report and her prior defense of mask mandates. The comments from Tom Grady, chairman of the state board, came during a conference call after K-12 Education Chancellor Jacob Oliva gave an update on the Aug. 19 release of the grand jury report."

'LET'S AMPLIFY OUR EFFORTS' — " Feds in Florida and two other states to lead crackdown on COVID-19 relief fraud," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "After losing billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds due to phony claims, the U.S. government has started deploying investigative teams in South Florida, California and Maryland to zero in on criminal organizations that are suspected of stealing from public programs offering small business loans and unemployment insurance. The federal strike-force teams were picked in these states not only because they have experienced significant relief fraud during the pandemic, but they also boast the resources to help combat the escalating problem across the country, federal authorities said in an announcement Wednesday."

— "Only rain can end the tug-of-war over Lake Okeechobee levels amid drought," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller

— " Board of Governors questions FAMU President Larry Robinson's leadership following athletics issue," by Tallahassee Democrat's Tarah Jean

— "State Sen. Darryl Rouson calls for investigation into smells around Childs Park ," by Tampa Bay Times' Colleen Wright and Jack Evans

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Jurors acquit disgraced ex-Sheriff Darryl Daniels of all charges in sex scandal trial," by Florida Times-Union's Dan Scanlan: "In under three hours of deliberations, a jury vindicated Clay County's ousted sheriff of all charges filed in a sex scandal that included ordering deputies to arrest his mistress for stalking. It followed three days of exhaustive testimony into Darryl Daniels' case, and the embattled ex-lawman smiled, shook hands and lightly embraced his defense team afterward. He had faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts."

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Stephanie Murphy … Whitney Ray, media relations director for Attorney General Ashley Moody … WFTV investigative and political reporter Christopher Heath … Former Rep. David Rivera …

(Saturday) Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Schweers … Mary Beth Tyson, photographer …

(Sunday) Former Secretary of State Ken Detzner ... lawyer and lobbyist Reggie Garcia ... Jeff Sadosky of Forbes Tate Partners and former communications director for Republican Party of Florida ... Former journalist John Van Gieson ... Orlando Sentinel editor Mark Skoneki