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Casey DeSantis’ Whisper Campaign for Governor Could Be Ron’s Gauge for His Odds vs. Trump Jr. in 2028

Matt OHern
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Casey DeSantis’ Whisper Campaign for Governor Could Be Ron’s Gauge for His Odds vs. Trump Jr. in 2028

Recent whispers about Casey DeSantis considering a run for governor of Florida in 2026 may not be what they seem. While some might assume it’s about her own political ambitions, but I have my own theory: Ron DeSantis is using the speculation as a trial balloon to assess his own prospects in the 2028 Republican presidential primary. Ron DeSantis understands that his path back to the national stage requires learning from 2024’s failures.

He needs to measure his strength against a Trump-endorsed candidate in a Republican primary—without having to put himself on the ballot just yet. That’s where Casey DeSantis comes in. If she runs for governor in 2026, her biggest obstacle to the nomination would be Congressman Byron Donalds, who received Trump’s enthusiastic endorsement before he had even officially declared his candidacy. While Donalds is not Trump, that endorsement alone makes him the de facto choice for Trump’s loyal base. In this way, a DeSantis vs. Donalds primary would mirror the dynamics of the 2024 GOP presidential race, where Ron DeSantis struggled against Trump’s overwhelming influence. The difference is, this time, Ron can sit back and observe.

If you don’t think Trump can pull a primary candidate for a statewide office down when his approval is low, just ask David Perdue, the Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidate who lost in a 52-point landslide in Georgia, or Herschel Walker, who lost his bid for Senate in the same state, despite Trump’s endorsement.

If Casey could stay within winning distance in a GOP primary against a Trump-endorsed candidate, it would signal that Trump’s influence—while still dominant—might not be insurmountable. It would also provide valuable insight into what messages and strategies resonate with Republican primary voters in a post-Trump era. On the flip side, if Casey loses to Donalds, Ron would have to seriously reconsider his own viability in 2028. That race would demonstrate that the DeSantis name alone isn’t enough to overcome a Trump-backed opponent, even in Florida, the state where Ron has built his brand. Ron’s biggest challenge in 2028 won’t just be Trumpism—it will be Trump’s potential successors.

If Donald Trump Jr. enters the race, DeSantis could find himself in third place behind him and JD Vance. But if Trump Jr. sits out, DeSantis’ main rival would likely be Vance, Trump’s current VP pick. And as history has shown, a vice president doesn’t always get a guaranteed endorsement from their former boss (ask Mike Pence). If Trump’s popularity begins to fade by 2028, Vance may have to slightly distance himself, much like Al Gore did from Bill Clinton in 2000. That could give DeSantis an opening to argue that his executive experience as governor is more valuable than Vance’s short tenure in the Senate.

The GOP primaries in both 2016 and 2024 showed that Trump won key states by pluralities, thanks to a divided field. If DeSantis wants to avoid a repeat of 2024, he needs to game out the possibilities early. Testing the waters with Casey in 2026 lets him do just that—without the personal risk of running himself. In the end, Casey DeSantis’ rumored bid for governor may not just be about her future. It may be the first move in Ron DeSantis’ long-term plan to reclaim relevance in 2028. Whether that strategy succeeds or fails will depend on how much control Trump still holds over the Republican electorate two years from now.

Gary Palmer: Mayors of sanctuary cities VIOLATED their oath of office by illegally providing sanctuary to criminals’

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Gary Palmer: Mayors of sanctuary cities VIOLATED their oath of office by illegally providing sanctuary to criminals’

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) blasted several Democratic mayors on Wednesday during a House Oversight Committee hearing for giving criminal illegal aliens “safe harbor” in their cities.

The mayors on hand to discuss sanctuary city policies included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

“I just want to respond about crimes committed by people here legally,” Palmer said to the mayors at the hearing. “Every crime committed by someone in the United States illegally is a crime that would not have been committed Lincoln Riley, Ruby, Garcia, Rachel Moran, Joycelyn Nunga Ray, the woman set on fire in the New York subway, these are all assaults, rapes, murders, and other crimes that would not have taken the lives of these people if those people were not here illegally, they were given safe harbor.”

The congressman then asked the city leaders if they understood that their actions could be violating their oaths to the Constitution.

“When you declared your city sanctuary cities, you did so illegally,” Palmer argued. “Do you understand that? We’re disagreeing with the law. It’s against the law to give sanctuary to people who have committed felonies, and it’s a felony to cross the border illegally. You gave sanctuary to people who are here illegally. You violated your oath to uphold the Constitution because of the Supremacy Clause.”

Palmer also told the mayors that he has been considering referring charges to the U.S. Justice Department over their failure to follow federal immigration laws.

Fox News Host Laura Ingraham highlighted Palmer’s statement Wednesday night saying, “Consequences, yes, I agree completely with Congressman Palmer.”

Tennesssee Gov. Lee Bans Manus, DeepSeek AI Platforms on Tennessee State Network

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Tennesssee Gov. Lee Bans Manus, DeepSeek AI Platforms on Tennessee State Network

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that two artificial intelligence (AI) tools with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party are now banned on the state network. Manus and DeepSeek have been added to a list of foreign-owned platforms that are now strictly prohibited due to serious threats regarding data privacy and cyber security. Tennessee becomes the first state in the Nation to ban the Alibaba-owned Manus platform, which launched earlier today.

“As artificial intelligence platforms emerge and this technology landscape evolves, there is growing concern regarding data protection and the threat of influence from foreign adversaries,” said Gov. Lee. “Tennessee has taken consistent action to mitigate risk from platforms with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, including TikTok, and banning Manus and DeepSeek on state devices will further reduce security risks to Tennesseans.” 

Security threats posed by the Manus and DeepSeek platforms include:

·        Censorship and Propaganda: Integrating Chinese political values into its output, which could lead to the spread of misinformation. 

·        Bias & Discrimination: Generates output that displays biases in areas such as race, gender, health, and religion, leading to discriminatory results. 

·        Data Privacy: Collects sensitive user information, including IP addresses, keystrokes, and behavior patterns. This data is stored on Chinese servers for unspecified purposes, raising the potential for espionage or targeted influence campaigns. 

·        Cybersecurity: The platforms have vulnerabilities that could be exploited by adversaries to generate malicious code or compromise sensitive information. 

Following Tennessee’s state ban on DeepSeek, the Tennessee Attorney General issued a consumer warning regarding the platform.

Tennessee has a strong track record on data protection and cybersecurity:

·        Gov. Lee took decisive action to ban TikTok from the state network and state devices in December 2022, making Tennessee the first state to do so. 

·        In June 2024, Gov. Lee directed a state ban on financial services platforms with ties to the Chinese government, including Webull, Tiger Brokers, Moomoo and Futu Holdings, and digital-assets brokerage Prometheum. 

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Human Trafficking Task Force Partners

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson Announces Human Trafficking Task Force Partners

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Chair of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, announced the launch of a statewide certification program for service providers working with human trafficking victims. The new program is in partnership with Safe House Project, a national non-profit providing certification, survivor support, and safe housing options for those that have been trafficked.

“South Carolina’s efforts to better protect human trafficking victims began with the 2019 launch of a Victim Service Provider Certification for Human Trafficking Professionals, the first of its kind in the nation,” said Wilson. “The State will now require Safe House certification for residential and community-based programs, another first in the nation.”

Up to 20 programs in South Carolina will receive certification services each year. Eight non-profits will be invited for the first cycle of the process. The State Task Force will include those who receive certification in its online resource directory. Certified programs will also be included in the National Human Trafficking Hotline victim services referral list.

Kristi Wells, CEO of Safe House Project, said, “South Carolina will become the first state to require Safe House Certification for both residential and community-based services supporting survivors of trafficking.”

“As we work to expand Safe House Certification across the country, partnerships like South Carolina’s will serve as a model for other states,” said Brittany Dunn, COO of Safe House Project. “Our goal is to strengthen survivor care nationwide by ensuring every program has the tools, training, and resources to provide the highest level of trauma-informed, survivor-centered support.”

For more information about anti-human trafficking efforts in South Carolina, please visit the State Task Force website at humantrafficking.scag.gov. To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The Hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Antisemitism on College Campuses

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Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Antisemitism on College Campuses

Florida Senator Rick Scott announced the reintroduction of the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act which he led last Congress with former Senator Marco Rubio, to address the rise in antisemitic incidents and rhetoric following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas. This legislation will hold colleges and universities accountable for addressing the rise of antisemitic harassment and discrimination, which violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, or risk losing federal funding, as leaders on campuses failed to do in recent years while antisemitic mobs took over academic buildings while Jewish students feared for their safety.

This legislation will build on President Trump’s recent efforts to withhold federal funding from higher education institutions failing to stop antisemitic actions on their campuses, including President Trump’s move today to cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University.

Senator Rick Scott said “Following Iran-backed Hamas’s attack on Israel, we saw a drastic rise in antisemitic attacks in the United States with anti-Israel mobs taking over campuses, and we’ve seen an unacceptable failure from leadership at higher education institutions to take action to condemn these mobs and protect Jewish students. Jewish students were afraid to go to class, fearful of the violence these pro-terrorist mobs threatened. That can’t happen. President Trump is completely right to withhold federal funding from higher education institutions that refuse to enforce the law on their campuses and enable antisemitic hate to flourish, and I’m proud to lead this bill to build on his efforts.”

The Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Actwould:

  • Expand Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance to include religious discrimination as a prohibited practice, with exceptions for programs or activities tied to religious organizations.
  • Implement clear and escalating penalties for institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are repeat violators.
  • Ensure that Title VI is enforced with the same rigor against antisemitic discrimination as it is for other forms of discrimination.
  • Mandate that IHEs inform students, faculty, and staff if they are found in violation of Title VI.
  • Direct the U.S. Department of Education to oversee private lawsuits against colleges receiving federal financial aid related to antisemitism.

Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines

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Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined 21 of his Senate colleagues to introduce the Keep Americans Safe Act (KASA), legislation to reinstate a nationwide ban on the sale, transfer, possession, import, or manufacture of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds. A federal law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994 to 2004—during which time mass shooting fatalities dropped by 70 percent. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10).

“Bans on semiautomatic weapons save lives—proven by the previous ban that lowered death rates of mass shootings by 70 percent. The expiration of this ban, and the continued refusal by many of my Republican colleagues to reinstate it, is leading to preventable tragedies across our nation,” Kaine said in an official statement. “I’m proud to introduce this commonsense legislation that will once again put in place this essential safeguard to make Virginia and our nation a safer place for all.”

Specifically, the Keep Americans Safe Act would:

  • Ban the sale or transfer of high-capacity gun magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds for any use outside of law enforcement;
  • Ban the possession of a high-capacity gun magazine manufactured after the date of enactment for any use outside of law enforcement;
  • Authorize high-capacity magazine buyback programs; and
  • Authorize law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to seize and destroy high-capacity magazines possessed illegally.

The Keep Americans Safe Act is led by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Kaine has long championed efforts to prevent gun violence. Last month, Kaine introduced the Age 21 Act, legislation that would raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21. Last year, Kaine cosponsored the Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act and the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act, two pieces of legislation that would ban bump stocks, devices that turn semiautomatic weapons into machine guns by increasing their rate of fire. These bills followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2024 that overturned a ban on bump stocks that President Trump signed in his first term.

The full text of the bill is available here.

Warner, Kaine Submit Bill to Stop Trump Taxes on Canadian Goods

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Warner, Kaine Submit Bill to Stop Trump Taxes on Canadian Goods

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, (D-VA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), unveiled legislation to undo President Donald Trump’s wildly unpopular tariffs on Canadian goods, which amount to a 25 percent tax on goods imported from one of America’s top trading partners and closest allies.

“Virginians can’t afford the cost of President Trump’s tariffs, which will raise prices on everything from groceries to houses and cars,” said Sen. Warner. “Congress must step in before President Trump tanks our economy.”

“Americans want prices to go down—not skyrocket, which is exactly what will happen if Congress lets President Trump slap new taxes on goods from one of our largest trading partners and closest allies,” said Sen. Kaine. “We don’t need to guess what kind of damage these senseless new taxes will do. During Trump’s first term, his trade wars spelled disaster for Virginians, particularly for farmers and foresters who were hit especially hard. Congress has a responsibility to stop that from happening again, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in blocking Trump from destroying our economy.”

“This Administration is igniting a reckless trade war and regular Americans are paying the price,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Costs for everyone will go up and our farmers and businesses will suffer. Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner and is a key U.S. ally. We must reverse these damaging tariffs before it’s too late.”

In Virginia in 2024, Canada was the largest export market and accounted for 15 percent of Virginia exports. In Virginia in 2022, top goods exports to Canada included motor vehicles and transportation equipment, such as medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 56.1 percent of Southwest Virginia’s economic output is dependent on trade.

Polls have overwhelmingly demonstrated that the American people do not support Trump’s trade wars. According to a recent survey by Public First, just 28 percent of American adults supported specifically applying tariffs to Canada, while 43 percent opposed.

Specifically, the senators’ legislation would work by terminating the February 1 emergency that Trump used to launch his trade war with Canada, and thus eliminate the tariffs on Canadian imports implemented as a result. Trump’s order cites the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), an unprecedented use of IEEPA in its nearly half century history. After an initial one-month delay, President Trump decided to move forward with the tariffs, with the import taxes starting to be collected on March 4, 2025. In total, President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs will cost the average American household up to $2,000 a year, with the Canada tariffs making up a significant portion of that. These IEEPA tariffs represent the largest tax increase on American families in recent history.

A copy of the legislation is available here.

Cotton, Banks: States Should Fight True Child Abuse, Not Punish Parents for Rejecting Sex Changes for Minors

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Cotton, Banks: States Should Fight True Child Abuse, Not Punish Parents for Rejecting Sex Changes for Minors

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Jim Banks (R-Indiana) today reintroduced legislation to stop state governments from discriminating against parents who oppose “gender transitions” for children. The Guaranteeing Unalienable and Anatomical Rights for Dependents (GUARD) Act would make a state government ineligible for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) funds if that state discriminates against a parent or guardian in custody disputes for opposing medical treatment, clothing changes, or social changes related to a child’s subjective “gender identity.”

“If you don’t let your kid ‘transition’ to the opposite sex, certain state governments will help remove them from your custody. It sounds like dystopian science fiction, but it’s happening in the United States of America. Our bill would take funding away from states that abuse their power by taking away parents’ rights simply for opposing radical gender experiments,” said Senator Cotton.

“The government has no business punishing parents for protecting their kids from radical gender ideology. My bill ensures that states respecting parental rights aren’t strong-armed into embracing dangerous social experiments,” said Senator Banks.

This legislation is supported by the American Principles Project, Family Policy Alliance, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and Heritage Action.

Full text of the bill may be found here.

The GUARD Act would:

  • Make any state government ineligible for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) funds if they discriminate in child custody disputes, child services, or cases against a parent or guardian based on their opposition to medical, surgical, pharmacological, psychological treatment, or clothing and social changes related to affirming the subjective claims of so-called “gender identity” expressed by any minor, if such claimed identity is at odds with the minor’s biological sex.
  • Create a private right of action for individuals to sue if they were subject to the prohibited discrimination. If a suit is successful, CAPTA funds granted to the state are required to be returned to the Treasury. 

Background:

  • Left-leaning states such as California, Oregon, and Washington have been removing children from their non-affirming parents’ care for years. This violates the religious freedom, conscience, and medical rights of parents.
  • In the case of Abby Martinez, her daughter was removed from her care. She ultimately committed suicide.
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