Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Takes Stand Against Chinese Communist Party
In a recent crackdown against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three bills aimed at countering the political influence of China within the United States (South China Morning Post). These bills focus on limiting Chinese land ownership in Florida, banning Chinese apps such as TikTok in schools, and regulating transactions with China.
DeSantis has cited the threat from China as a primary reason for implementing these bills, which curtail real estate purchases by Chinese nationals and prohibit the use of Chinese apps in educational settings (South China Morning Post, Reuters). The state legislature, controlled by the Republican Party, has been pushing through several pieces of legislation to address the growing concern about China’s influence in the country (CNN).
In addition to these bills, DeSantis signed a law giving a new board he controls the power to void certain deals involving Disney (Reuters). This move could potentially give the state legislature more leverage in dealing with foreign governments such as China, who have invested heavily in Florida’s real estate and infrastructure projects in recent years.
Some critics argue that DeSantis’ harsh stance against China is part of a larger political strategy to gain support among conservative voters, both in Florida and nationally (BBC). The Florida governor has been increasingly mentioned as a possible contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, with many political pundits keeping a close eye on his actions and policies (The Washington Post).
Governor DeSantis has also been highly active in addressing election security measures in his state. He has championed the expansion of an election investigations office and secured additional funding for the initiative in the state budget (NBC News). This move is seen as crucial, considering the highly contentious nature of recent elections in the U.S, and DeSantis’ aspirations for higher office.
While Governor DeSantis has been working to carve out a distinct conservative policy platform for himself, the upcoming months will be crucial as he navigates the balance between state and national politics. The Florida governor has severed his connection to his long-standing state political committee, potentially a sign that he is considering a future presidential bid (Politico).
