Tag: florida

Florida mayor’s arrogant answer when asked why he was illegally driving around in a POLICE CAR with flashing blue lights

A Florida mayor was caught illegally driving a police car and using its flashing blue lights for a VIP traffic experience.  

Newly released body camera footage shows Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, 28, being pulled over by a Miami police officer, after Calvo allegedly made an improper left turn in Coconut Grove, Miami at 11.30am on June 14.

But what began as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated when officer Yasmani Gonzalez noticed the black Chevrolet SUV Calvo was driving was fitted with flashing red and blue police lights.

‘Is this a police car? Is this your personal?’ the officer interrogates in the footage.

‘I’m an elected official,’ retorted Calvo, whose mayorship is non-partisan.

The response did little to impress the officer.

‘You turned on your police lights,’ the officer told him. ‘That’s a criminal offense, and I can easily take you to jail.’

The tense roadside exchange continued as the officer delivered a reminder that holding an elected office position does not entitle him to lawless behavior.

‘I don’t care if you’re the mayor,’ Gonzalez slammed. ‘If you’re not a police officer, don’t activate police lights.’

The officer then warned Calvo that he was driving a police vehicle despite not being a sworn law enforcement officer. 

Gonzalez proceeded to threaten jail time, saying, ‘that right there could be a third-degree felony.’

However rather than making an arrest, the officer issued Calvo two citations – one for the improper left turn and another for having prohibited emergency lights on the vehicle. 

Court records show the mayor has pleaded not guilty to both violations. It also remains unclear whether Calvo is still driving the SUV.

The footage has also launched fresh questions over why the city’s mayor was driving a police-issued SUV equipped with functioning emergency lights.

Florida law generally limits the use of blue lights to authorized emergency vehicles and does not provide a specific exemption for mayors. Although municipalities may authorize rare vehicle assignments or equipment for operational purposes, local policies do not supersede state law.

Driving a city vehicle equipped with police-style equipment could be interpreted as the impersonation of a police officer, even if emergency lights were not activated and is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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Footage Shows Cop Stalking Woman He Met on a TV Set After Surveilling Her With a License Plate Reader

A police officer speeds 70 MPH down a two-lane highway running over a bridge in the Florida Keys. He passes a dump truck in a no-passing zone, then immediately does it again, crossing over a double-yellow line to pass another truck. He passes a third vehicle, nearly causing a head-on collision with a white pickup truck that veers away from him in the oncoming traffic. The cop keeps driving, and sees the SUV he’s been in pursuit of. He flicks his sirens and lights on and pulls it over.

The cop, Lamar Roman, wasn’t trying to pull over a suspected criminal. He was tracking and chasing a woman that he met and harassed on the set of the AppleTV+ show Bad Monkey, which he had worked a security detail shift on a few weeks prior to pulling her over. After meeting the woman, catcalling her and harassing her for her full name and Instagram details, the cop illegally looked up her vehicle information on DAVID, a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles database for law enforcement. He then put her license plate details on a surveillance “hotlist,” meaning he would get a notification in real time anytime she drove by an AI-powered license plate surveillance camera.

Roman told investigators that he saw the woman as a “shiny thing” and knew that using surveillance tools to track her was illegal, according to police records. He told investigators that “I knew that when I put [her into DAVID], I’m like ‘fuck’ and that’s why I stopped right after and nothing else.” But that wasn’t the end of it; he investigated the woman then used a powerful license plate tracking database to find her location and chase her down. In doing so, he also “almost cause[d] a head on collision while passing as a white truck traveling northbound had to veer off the roadway to avoid a collision.”

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Ten States Enable Vast Majority of Migrant Truckers Who Can’t Speak English

Almost eight-in-ten of the migrant truckers who have been busted for not speaking English got their licenses from just ten states, a new study reveals.

Texas, Florida, and Ohio each sit in the top five of the worst offenders, according to American Truckers United (ATU), showing that this is not just a blue state problem.

The ten states from the largest number of violators to the fewest, includes Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Colorado. These states account for 77 percent of all violators who have been cited by federal and state officials.

ATU added that the four worst states include Texas, with 29 percent of all violators, California with 14 percent, Florida with ten percent, and Illinois with seven percent.

Of note, Florida does not hand out commercial trucker licenses to illegal migrants and any migrant who gets a CDL license there is verified as a legal foreign resident by DHS. In addition, starting late last year, Texas began pulling CDLs from illegal migrants and has begun the long process of purging them from the system. But it takes time to do this.

Enforcement is also not living up to its claims.

The group also pointed out that these illegal truckers may not be feeling the impact of law enforcement just yet as the group has found instances where migrants are told that their right to drive is revoked in one state via an “out of service order” only to see them simply move to another state and keep on driving.

Worse, these out of service orders have no teeth because the drivers are not arrested, their trucks are not impounded, and their companies are not sanctioned.

The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up the pressure, though, and took to social media this week to proclaim that “If you are in this country illegally you should NOT have a Commercial Driver’s License.”

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Florida Gov. DeSantis Designates Terrorist Groups After Judge Pushes Back

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the state’s intent to implement its new statutory authority to identify, designate, and combat terrorist organizations operating in Florida, marking the first use of powers established by HB 1471. DeSantis signed the bill into law during a ceremony on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa on April 6, 2026, and the law took effect Wednesday, July 1.

Under HB 1471, Florida’s chief of domestic security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may designate qualifying organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. The governor and Cabinet then approve or reject each designation by majority vote before publication in the Florida Administrative Register.

“Today, we are officially designating terrorist organizations under Florida law. In addition to CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, we are adding Antifa to the list, along with more than 90 Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including cartels,” DeSantis said in a statement. Among the named foreign designations are the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and cartels, including Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Noreste, and Cartel del Golfo.

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Florida Officials, Political Operatives Charged in Alleged Counterfeit GOP Voter Guide Plot

Five people, including two St. Johns County commissioners and a St. Augustine Beach commissioner, were charged Monday in connection with an alleged scheme to distribute counterfeit Republican voter guides during the 2024 primary election.

County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst, St. Augustine Beach Commissioner and former Mayor Dylan Rumrell, political consultant Briana Jordan, and Jamie Lynn Johnson were each charged with one count of creating an unauthorized voter guide and one count of conspiracy. Jordan was also charged with felony tampering with physical evidence after prosecutors alleged she destroyed or concealed voter guides while an investigation was pending.

The charges come months after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed a confidential executive order assigning the case to an outside prosecutor. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the case, and 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer ultimately filed the charges after prosecutors in both the 7th and 4th Judicial Circuits recused themselves.

According to a sworn FDLE affidavit, investigators allege Jordan organized the scheme after the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee endorsed a slate of candidates who were not represented by her consulting operation. Prosecutors say she created a counterfeit voter guide using the county GOP’s name and branding without authorization while omitting the disclaimer required under Florida law. Jordan’s bond was set at $12,000, and it is unclear when the defendants will make their first court appearances.

Investigators allege the counterfeit guides were assembled at a St. Augustine campaign headquarters before being mailed to thousands of Republican voters from post offices in Jacksonville and Orlando to conceal their origin. The affidavit alleges Jordan purchased more than 10,000 voter guides and approximately 20,000 postage stamps, while Whitehurst, Arnold and Rumrell helped prepare the mailers by placing labels and stamps on the envelopes.

Prosecutors also allege Jordan later burned remaining voter guides and searched for commercial shredding services after the operation became public. The fake voter guides became one of the biggest controversies of the 2024 Republican primary in St. Johns County. While the official St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee endorsed one slate of candidates, the counterfeit guide promoted a competing slate that included Whitehurst and several other local Republicans.

The competing endorsements reflected a broader intraparty fight over growth and development in one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties. The candidates featured on the counterfeit guide largely mirrored those backed by the Trump Club of St. Johns County, while President Donald Trump later endorsed the three incumbent county commissioners on Truth Social during the closing days of the campaign.

Ann-Marie Evans, who narrowly lost the Republican primary to Whitehurst, previously said she was “appalled” and “shocked” by the counterfeit mailers and blamed them for confusing voters during the race. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power also welcomed the charges, saying the party takes the unauthorized use of its branding seriously.

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Former Democratic Florida Gubernatorial Nominee Andrew Gillum Arrested With Meth, Cut Straws, Bong

Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was arrested last week in Alabama on drug charges following a traffic stop. 

The former rising star in the Democratic Party, who served as Tallahassee Mayor from 2014 to 2018, narrowly lost his gubernatorial bid to Ron DeSantis by just 0.4% in 2018.

Police say they pulled him over for driving erratically on the night of July 2 and found methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

He now faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

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Florida Votes to Ban Illegal Immigrants from Public Colleges and Universities

The Florida State Board of Education voted 6–1 on Tuesday to prohibit illegal immigrants from enrolling in the state’s 28 public colleges and adult education programs.

Under the new policy, institutions within the Florida College System will only admit U.S. citizens or individuals lawfully present in the country. Applicants must attest to their legal status and provide supporting documentation before enrolling. The rule also applies to adult general education programs, including GED classes.

This action builds on last year’s repeal of in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. Governor Ron DeSantis and state leaders have stated that Florida’s public resources, funded by the state’s hardworking taxpayers, should prioritize American citizens and legal residents, rather than individuals who entered the country illegally.

The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s 12 public universities, advanced a similar measure last week. Beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year, individuals unlawfully present in the United States will be ineligible for initial enrollment at selective public universities. A final vote is still pending, but the proposal is expected to move forward.

These policies send a strong message to other states and the federal government: Florida will not subsidize or reward illegal immigration through taxpayer-funded higher education.

As expected, left-wing activist groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Democratic lawmakers criticized the reform, describing it as «cruel.» Critics argue that the policy could reduce institutional revenue and negatively affect students who grew up in Florida despite lacking legal immigration status.

However, supporters argue that illegal immigrants should not compete with legal residents for limited spaces and resources at public institutions. They also contend that Florida taxpayers already bear significant costs associated with illegal immigration, making the policy a logical step toward enforcing federal immigration law at the state level and restoring policy priorities.

According to supporters, taxpayer-funded higher education for illegal immigrants is a policy that Florida voters have repeatedly rejected, a position they say aligns with Governor DeSantis’s record on border security and the rule of law.

Florida now joins a small group of states taking firm action on illegal immigration in higher education. The broader question is whether states can—and should—protect their sovereignty, their citizens, and their fiscal stability through similar measures.

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TikTok Settles Lawsuit Accusing Social Media Giants Of Harming Florida Boy

TikTok has reached a settlement with a Florida teenager who blamed the platform and other social media companies for fueling his addiction, leading to depression, anxiety, and sleep loss, just ahead of a trial to determine the industry’s part in the youth mental health crisis.

The settlement, made public Tuesday, lays to rest claims against ByteDance’s TikTok related to the lawsuit filed by the boy.

Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Trials against Meta’s Instagram and Snap’s Snapchat remain scheduled for July in California.

According to court filings, the plaintiff argues he began using social media at approximately age 8 and became addicted.

As Kimberley Hayek reports for The Epoch Times, the case is one of many taking aim at social media companies, accusing them of designing the platforms to addict young users.

Earlier this month, YouTube settled with the same plaintiff.

“YouTube’s decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself,” the plaintiff’s attorneys from Morgan & Morgan stated in that settlement.

“We will continue fighting on behalf of all those affected by social media addiction to bring these companies to justice and compel them to prioritize the safety of their young users over their bottom lines.”

In March, a jury in Los Angeles found Meta and Google liable for harms to a young woman, awarding damages after findings of negligence tied to addictive design features.

Jurors found the platforms contributed to addiction and mental health issues, leading to millions in compensatory and punitive damages. A judge upheld the verdict this month.

More than 3,300 addiction-related lawsuits remain pending in California state court, with thousands more pending in federal court. School districts and states have also pursued claims, with some settlements reached, such as a Kentucky district’s agreement with several platforms.

The TikTok settlement allows the company to avoid what would have been only the second individual trial of its kind in California over social media’s impact on minors.

Plaintiffs in these cases argue that features, such as endless scrolling, personalized algorithms, and notifications create a “vicious cycle” of engagement that does harm to young brains.

Tech companies argue they have implemented parental controls, age-appropriate tools, and other safeguards for young users. Google, for instance, has underscored its safety efforts in statements regarding the YouTube settlement.

“Our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise,” Google spokesman José Castañeda said in a statement. 

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Democracy Dies In Sunny South Florida

A legacy media publication famously claims that “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” In Miami-Dade County, however, democracy is dying in broad daylight. A substantial majority of local incumbents are cruising to re-election without a single challenger in either the primary or general election. Their only potential barrier to continued tenure is statutory term limits. In some cases, incumbents were appointed to their posts and have never faced the voters at all.

I. State Representatives
At least five of the roughly dozen local state representatives have already secured re-election without opposition:

House District 110: Tom Fabricio (R-Miami Lakes)
House District 111: David Borrero (R-Doral)
House District 112: Alex Rizo (R-Hialeah)
House District 114: Demi Busatta (R-Coral Gables)
House District 120: Jim Mooney (R-Florida Keys)

The following incumbents have also advanced to the November general election without primary challengers:

House District 115: Omar Blanco (R-Dadeland)
House District 116: Ashley Perez-Biliskov (R-Westchester), sister of outgoing Republican House Speaker Danny Perez
House District 119: Juan Carlos Porras (R-The Hammocks)

Your correspondent expects to endorse every one of these legislators in the general election. Still, representative government would be healthier if incumbents were forced to defend their records, character, and policies before the voters.

A few races remain contested:

House District 113 (Brickell, Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Shenandoah, and Key Biscayne): Republicans Tony Diaz and Bruno Barreiro are waging spirited primary campaigns against RINO Frank Lago. See: Tony Diaz for Florida House District 113. Lago has distributed mailers featuring his photo beside President Trump’s, despite no involvement or endorsement from Trump. See: Fishy Frank Lago Is Swimming to an Open Seat Near You.

House District 117 (Homestead and Florida City): Republican Miguel Granda is challenging incumbent Democrat Kevin Chambliss in the general election.
House District 118 (mostly unincorporated areas near Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport): Incumbent Republican Mike Redondo, the incoming House Speaker, faces a primary challenge from independent Republican Marco Insua, who lives in the district.

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Black Democrats Attack Longtime Dem Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz for Decision to Run in District with Large Black Population

Grab some popcorn!

Black Democrats are lashing out at longtime Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her decision to run for reelection in a district with a majority black population.

Wasserman Schultz was first elected to Congress in 2004 to represent Florida’s 25th District.

However, Wasserman Schultz is now running in Florida’s 20th Congressional District after Republican lawmakers redistricted and reshaped the map.

Wasserman Shultz is now running in an area that was represented by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a black lawmaker who resigned earlier this year after she was indicted on fraud charges.

Black Democrats are now coming for Wasserman Schultz and attacking her for running in district with a large black population.

The Hill reported:

Some Black Democrats are frustrated with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s (D-Fla.) decision to run in a South Florida congressional district home to a large Black voting population, sparking an intraparty clash that is poised to become a defining battle of the campaign season.

Wasserman Schultz, a veteran lawmaker who has served in Congress since 2005, is running in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which had been represented by former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) for four years before she resigned in April. Wasserman Schultz’s bid comes after GOP-led redistricting efforts in the state reshaped her current 25th District, making it far more favorable for Republicans.

But her political opponents and other critics argue that her move not only disregards the district’s unique history and undermines opportunities for Black political representation, but is also a slight to Black voters.

“I think, for sure, it was a bad move by the congresswoman to run in this district. It was selfish and all about her, her career, and not about the community. She failed to do any meaningful dialogue with the community before announcing her run, and it comes off as a hostile takeover of the district,” said Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old Black Democrat and progressive organizer running against her in the primary.

“I mean, so many people she ignored and didn’t have conversations with, from the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, and the chair of that caucus as well, to the Black elected officials.”

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