Once again, Governor Ron DeSantis has demonstrated why he’s the leader that Florida and, frankly, the nation needs in times of crisis. In the wake of Hurricane Milton, DeSantis not only prepared his state for disaster but also took on a different kind of storm—one from Vice President Kamala Harris, who has shamefully tried to politicize the hurricane response for her own campaign.
Appearing on CNBC, DeSantis didn’t hold back, stating, “All the storms I've dealt with under this administration, she has never called in Florida or offered any support. She's trying to inject herself into this because of her political campaign.” He’s absolutely right. The fact is, Harris has never been interested in real leadership. She’s more interested in photo ops and crafting a false narrative to convince voters she’s helping in the process when, in reality, she’s doing nothing of substance.
Harris’ interference is more than just a distraction—it’s dangerous. Emergency management is about clear communication, seamless coordination, and rapid response. When politics are injected into the process, especially by someone as disconnected from the crisis as Kamala Harris, it disrupts the flow of critical information and resources. Instead of focusing on real solutions, Harris’ grandstanding creates confusion and diverts attention from the actual mission: saving lives and minimizing damage. By falsely implying that DeSantis is “playing political games,” Harris is the one who’s actually doing so, and it puts lives at risk.
When a natural disaster strikes, time is of the essence. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and every moment wasted on political maneuvering is a moment that could have been spent safeguarding homes, providing resources, or restoring power. This isn’t about winning headlines or scoring points with voters. It’s about real people—families, seniors, first responders—counting on leaders like DeSantis to guide them through the storm. Unfortunately, Harris has shown she’s more interested in using these moments to try and boost her presidential campaign than helping those in harm’s way.
Harris’s claim that DeSantis refused her calls regarding the hurricane response was quickly debunked. Not only has DeSantis maintained communication with President Biden during the disaster, but even Biden himself confirmed that the governor has been cooperative and appreciative of federal aid. The truth is, there’s a clear chain of command when it comes to disaster response, and Harris isn’t part of it. It’s telling that she’s unaware of this basic fact yet still thinks she can undermine DeSantis’ efforts.
As DeSantis pointed out on Fox News, “For Kamala Harris to say my focus on the people of Florida is somehow 'selfish' is delusional. What I think is selfish is her trying to blunder into this... I don't have time for political games. I have lived on the line. We are focused 100% on the storm mission.” That’s the core of the issue. DeSantis understands that people’s lives are at stake, and he’s unwilling to let Harris’ cheap political shots get in the way of protecting Floridians.
While Harris was busy making appearances on The View and The Howard Stern Show, DeSantis worked with Florida’s emergency teams to ensure that over 50,000 linemen were staged and ready to restore power once it was safe to move in. This marks the most significant staging of power restoration crews in Florida’s history. His team even deployed Starlink internet throughout the state, ensuring residents could stay connected, even in the hardest-hit areas. That’s authentic leadership—providing the job gets done with no time wasted on political grandstanding.
Disaster response isn’t just about logistics—it’s about leadership. A governor like DeSantis, who focuses on the mission, ensures that resources are efficiently deployed, that every team is fully equipped, and that communication remains clear and direct. On the other hand, Harris has chosen to inject politics into a life-or-death situation, creating division and confusion. Every leader in emergency management knows that the moment politics interferes, the effectiveness of the response diminishes. Harris has shown that she’s willing to undermine Florida’s efforts to protect its citizens, all for a weak attempt to make herself look relevant ahead of an election.
Meanwhile, DeSantis has continued to provide competent, direct leadership that every state would be lucky to have. In my last column, I praised his handling of previous crises, and this time is no different. Florida is in capable hands, and anyone watching this governor’s performance can’t help but admire how prepared he is for every disaster. From Hurricane Helene to Hurricane Milton, DeSantis has proven time and time again that he’s not just a politician—he’s a leader.
When asked about the situation, President Biden said, “The Governor of Florida has been cooperative. He’s said he’s gotten all that he needs... I know you’re doing a great job.” While Biden has grudgingly acknowledged DeSantis’ abilities, Harris has doubled on her lies, accusing DeSantis of playing political games. Her desperation is palpable, and frankly, it’s embarrassing to watch.
In times of crisis, leadership matters more than ever. Ron DeSantis has shown that he’s more than capable of handling the immense challenges of natural disasters. On the other hand, Kamala Harris has shown us exactly why she’s unfit to serve as Commander in Chief.
Dustin Grage is a Minnesota-based journalist, GOP strategist, and conservative activist. Stay updated on his latest work and subscribe for future contributions at www.dustingrage.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.