Staggering Bill for Taxpayers: Why DeSantis' Protection Costs Skyrocketed

Photo byPhoto 287064037 | Desantis © Jhansen2

Florida taxpayers now pay double for protecting Ron DeSantis and his family.

Last year, Florida taxpayers paid millions more to guard Ron DeSantis and his family as he was getting ready to announce his candidacy for president.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), last year, the cost of protecting DeSantis, his wife Casey, and their three children cost $9.4 million in total. According to state records, this is more than a 55% increase in the expense of doing so.

That is a $3 million increase from the $6 million the agency spent the prior fiscal year to safeguard DeSantis and his family.

The more recent totals span from July 1, 2022, to June 30, during which DeSantis' travel grew dramatically.

During the 2022 midterm elections, he flew to his political fundraisers and worked as a campaigner for important Republican Senate candidates nationwide. In May, he announced his candidacy for president. Ever since the announcement, he's been on a constant campaign trail

The Florida governor's press secretary Jeremy Redfern claimed that DeSantis' rise to prominence as a national politician is responsible for the rising costs.

When asked why DeSantis needed more protection, FDLE officials said it was not because of his rising political profile. They blamed previous FDLE leadership for failing to maintain sufficient agents assigned to protective services, the division in charge of guarding governors, and distinguished guests.

According to the organization, FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass chose personnel by suggestions provided by a transition team he assembled after DeSantis appointed him in August 2022. Although the rise in protective services over the past year has been more than in other years, it has consistently risen over time.

Do you think DeSantis needs to spend this much money on protection?

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