Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Ron DeSantis

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Ron DeSantis.

Ron DeSantis is an American politician and attorney, currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida since 2019. Before becoming governor, DeSantis served as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district from 2013 to 2018. A Republican, DeSantis ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but withdrew his candidacy in January 2024. He is a former naval officer.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2016: Received a '0' Rating from the Human Rights Campaign

In 2016, Ron DeSantis received a "0" rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT-related legislation.

June 2019: Signed Measure Making Ballot Initiatives Harder

In June 2019, DeSantis signed a measure that would make it harder to launch successful ballot initiatives.

June 2019: DeSantis Signs Anti-"Sanctuary City" Bill into Law

In June 2019, DeSantis signed an anti-"sanctuary city" bill into law, although Florida had no sanctuary cities before the law's enactment.

June 2020: DeSantis Signs Bill Requiring E-Verify for Government Employers and Contractors

In June 2020, DeSantis signed a bill requiring government employers and contractors to use E-Verify, making Florida the 12th state to adopt legislation requiring local governments to aid federal immigration-enforcement efforts.

2020: Investigated Bloomberg's Felon Voting Initiative

In 2020, DeSantis instructed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to investigate whether Michael Bloomberg had criminally offered incentives for felons to vote.

2020: Democrat Outvoted Republicans by Mail

In February 2021, DeSantis announced his support for eliminating ballot drop boxes and limiting voting by mail because, in 2020, Democrats outvoted Republicans by mail.

February 2, 2021: DeSantis Announces Support for Legislation Against Tech Censorship

On February 2, 2021, Ron DeSantis announced his support for legislation aimed at holding tech companies accountable for alleged political censorship. This came in response to social media networks removing Donald Trump from their platforms. DeSantis and other Florida Republicans pushed to prohibit tech companies from de-platforming political candidates.

February 2021: Supported Eliminating Ballot Drop Boxes

In February 2021, DeSantis announced his support for eliminating ballot drop boxes and limiting voting by mail, requiring voters to re-register every year to vote by mail.

April 2021: DeSantis Signs Combating Public Disorder Act

In April 2021, DeSantis signed into law the Combating Public Disorder Act, which forbade intimidation by mobs, penalized damage to historic properties or memorials, and forbade publishing personal identifying information online with intent to harm.

June 1, 2021: DeSantis signs Fairness in Women's Sports Act

On June 1, 2021, DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028) into law. The law bans transgender girls and women from participating in middle-school, high-school, and college women's sports competitions.

June 2021: Led Effort to Ban Critical Race Theory

In June 2021, DeSantis led an effort to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Florida public schools. The Florida Board of Education approved the ban on June 10.

December 15, 2021: Announced Stop WOKE Act

On December 15, 2021, DeSantis announced a new bill, the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act ("Stop WOKE Act"), which would allow parents to sue school districts that teach critical race theory.

2021: DeSantis Halts Cooperation with Biden Administration on Migrant Relocation

In 2021, DeSantis halted cooperation with the Biden administration's program to relocate and resettle migrants in Florida in the wake of a surge in illegal immigration. DeSantis's administration also allocated $12 million for relocating migrants to other states.

February 2022: DeSantis voices support for the Parental Rights in Education Act

In February 2022, DeSantis voiced his support for the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (HB1557), commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. This act prohibits discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in school classrooms from kindergarten to grade 3.

March 2022: DeSantis signs Parental Rights in Education Act into law

In March 2022, DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act into law, effective July 1, 2022. The statute includes a provision requiring school district personnel to encourage students to discuss well-being issues with parents.

April 14, 2022: Signed 15-Week Abortion Ban

On April 14, 2022, DeSantis signed into law a bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions. Previously, the limit had been 24 weeks.

April 2022: DeSantis Signs Bill Eliminating Disney's Special District

In April 2022, DeSantis signed a bill eliminating The Walt Disney Company's special independent district act and replacing its Disney-appointed board of overseers amid a dispute over the Parental Rights in Education Act.

July 1, 2022: 15-Week Abortion Ban Expected to Go Into Effect

On July 1, 2022, the 15-week abortion ban signed by DeSantis was expected to go into effect.

August 18, 2022: Enforcement of Stop WOKE Act Blocked

On August 18, 2022, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Stop WOKE Act as applied to businesses, ruling that it violated the First Amendment.

September 2022: DeSantis Sends Migrants to Martha's Vineyard

In September 2022, DeSantis sent two chartered planes carrying 50 newly arrived asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela, from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, via Crestview, Florida. The migrants later filed a class-action suit against DeSantis.

2022: DeSantis signs bill creating election police unit

In 2022, DeSantis signed a bill creating an election police unit to investigate election fraud.

2022: "Monkey this up" controversy

In 2022, Dexter Filkins, writing in The New Yorker, recalled the "monkey this up" gaffe after DeSantis's primary win which was considered a racist dog whistle.

2022: Allegations Regarding Guantanamo Bay

In 2022, Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi alleged that Ron DeSantis oversaw force-feeding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, which DeSantis acknowledged advising on.

January 2023: Supreme Court of Florida to Hear Challenge to Abortion Law

In January 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida agreed to hear a legal challenge to the 15 week abortion ban.

April 2023: Signed Six-Week Abortion Ban

In April 2023, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban with limited exceptions.

April 26, 2023: Disney Files Lawsuit Against DeSantis

On April 26, 2023, The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and several others, accusing them of retaliating against protected speech following Disney's opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act.

May 2023: DeSantis Announces Plans to Send Personnel to Texas Border

In May 2023, DeSantis announced plans to send over 1,000 personnel to Texas, including National Guard troops, to help Texas stem the influx of illegal immigration across the southern border.

January 31, 2024: Disney's Lawsuit Against DeSantis Dismissed

On January 31, 2024, the lawsuit filed by Disney against DeSantis was dismissed, though Disney vowed to appeal the decision.

March 27, 2024: Disney Settles State Court Lawsuits with DeSantis

On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis. Per the agreement, Disney put the appeal of its federal lawsuit on hold while a new development agreement with Florida was negotiated.

April 1, 2024: Florida Supreme Court Upheld 15-Week Ban

On April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week ban.

May 1, 2024: Six-Week Abortion Ban Went Into Effect

On May 1, 2024, the six-week abortion ban went into effect after the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week ban on April 1, 2024.

June 2024: DeSantis Vetoes Waterway Safety Bill

In June 2024, DeSantis vetoed a bill passed by the State House that would have created a statewide process managed by the Department of Health to issue closures and send warnings if the bacteria in waterways reached unsafe levels.

September 2024: DeSantis Defends Election Police Unit Visits

At a press event in September 2024, DeSantis defended the election police unit's visits to the homes of Florida voters who had signed an abortion rights ballot initiative.