Gov. DeSantis Doubles Down in Fighting Back Against the CDC

Rebecca Downs | May 14, 2021 9:15 PM

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is not having any of what he calls an "absolute farce" when it comes to a CDC order that requires 95 percent of cruise passengers and 98 percent of the crew to be vaccinated, as well as for ships to go through 60 to 90 days of preparation and test sailing before they can resume full operations. Thus, Florida in April sued the CDC and Health & Human Services for targeting the state and the cruise industry. On Wednesday, the lawsuit went before U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday in Tampa, the Washington Examiner reported.

WATCH LIVE: Press Conference in Ormond Beach https://t.co/VRrwYb6Jxb
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 13, 2021

I recently reported on how the cruise lines are involved as well. Norwegian cruise line's CEO, Frank Del Rio, who is equally candidly less than thrilled with the CDC, is considering not sailing out of Florida. DeSantis isn't backing down, though.

BREAKING REPORT: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida WILL NOT CAVE TO PRESSURE on Removing Ban on ‘Vaccine Passports’...
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) May 14, 2021

While Judge Merryday did not rule on Wednesday, he is expected to do so soon. Gov. DeSantis seemed optimistic. "We think we got our points across. We think the judge was receptive. We’ll see what happens."

The governor also found himself in the news for his promise to pardon Floridians who were charged for violating COVID restrictions. He appeared Wednesday on "The Ingraham Angle" alongside Mike and Jillian Carnevale to speak out against such "local government overreach."

As soon as I heard that Mike and Jillian Carnevale were facing criminal penalties, like possible jail time, for not requiring masks at their gym I stepped in to shield them from this local government overreach.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 13, 2021

The move was applauded by many, especially in light of a tweet from President Biden which forces Americans to continue wearing a mask if not vaccinated. The tweet came on Thursday, after the CDC finally got with the times enough to follow science and update guidelines to say that those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks indoors.