Ron DeSantis on Rush Limbaugh: Governor will order flags on half of staff to honor the controversial radio host

Ron DeSantis on Rush Limbaugh: Governor will order flags on half of staff to honor the controversial radio host

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“Once the date of Rush’s funeral is announced, we’ll lower the flags after half – time,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told a news conference in West Palm Beach on Friday.

The governor said the honor is “what we do when there are things of this magnitude.”

The move does not appear to be in line with the state’s flag protocol, which calls for the flags to be flown at half – staff “in the event of the death of a current or former Florida government official or the death of a Florida a member of the Florida Armed Forces who dies while serving in active duty. ‘

DeSantis said Limbaugh, a Palm Beach resident who died Wednesday at 70, “was an absolute legend, he was a friend of mine and just a wonderful person.”

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) calls the governor’s decision “an embarrassment to Florida”.

“Rush Limbaugh has used his platform to spread racism, xenophobia and homophobia across the country,” she said in a tweet. “His constant hateful rhetoric has done countless damage to our political landscape.”

Florida Senate Democratic leader Gary Farmer issued a statement Friday calling DeSantis’s flag order “a biased political tool to greet a man who has no interests other than his own, and his best interests at heart.” do to divide a country deeply according to political fault lines.

“I do not condemn the governor’s decision in any vague way. Every step is to lower our flag in respect of a man who helped drive hatred and the prejudices against marginalized groups, coloreds, women and all who do not. “as he or she looks, do not incite. think like he is wrong, and it must be withdrawn,” Farmer said.

Announcement made during mostly maskless event

DeSantis’ announcement of Limbaugh’s honor was not the only reason his news conference caused controversy.

Palm Beach County officials are now investigating the Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel after receiving reports that many of the more than 100 people who attended the indoor event there were not wearing masks, said John Jamason, deputy director of public affairs at Palm Beach County, said in a statement to CNN. .
A mask mandate aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19 is in force in the country until March 19. Face masks must be worn by someone who obtains goods or services, or otherwise visits or works in a business or enterprise in the country.
The hotel that hosted a mostly maskless rally for the Florida governor is being investigated

“We have spoken to the management of Hilton and will follow up on them and the organizers of events in accordance with our normal compliance procedures,” Jamason said.

A spokesman for Hilton Palm Beach Airport said in an email to CNN: “We are partly made aware of video showing a group of individuals close together and not wearing masks. We are disappointed in their apparent failure to comply with our mask regulations that are prominently displayed throughout the hotel. We will continue to do our best to monitor and apply these guidelines as long as they remain. “

The Palm Beach Code enforcement and compliance team is investigating the incident and will determine whether the hotel will be fined or fined, Jamason said.

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