Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd warned Monday that people who are moving to Florida must not vote the way they did in the states they are fleeing, assuming that they voted for Democratic politicians, otherwise they will turn their new home state into the one they fled.
Judd made the remarks during a press conference with Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, during which he signed an anti-riot bill into law that creates tougher penalties for those who engage in violent riots.
“Never have I seen the leadership that I see with Governor DeSantis, with Speaker Sprowls, and with President Simpson,” Judd said. “They’re making a positive difference, not for government, but for the people of the state of Florida. Florida is a unique place and a special place. It’s where we work, where we live, but it’s also where the world comes to play, to bring their children, and their children have a right to be safe.”
Judd highlighted the far-left riots that have devastated communities in Democrat-controlled cities across the U.S., including Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis, and said that officials would not allow that to happen in Florida.
“We’ve got a new law and we’re going to use it if you make us,” Judd said. “We’re going to protect the people. No longer will people walk up and surround you as a citizen of Florida or a visitor of Florida, surround you while you’re eating dinner at an outdoor cafe in a big mob without there being immediate consequences and arrest. It’s not acceptable.”
Without specifically mentioning the Democratic Party, Judd warned people moving to Florida that they needed to vote differently than they may have in the states they were fleeing. It can be reasonably inferred that Judd was warning people against voting for Democrats given that he endorsed pro-Trump candidates in Florida during the last election cycle, was appointed to the Trump administration’s Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.
“We’re a special place and there are millions and millions of people who like to come here, and quite frankly, we like to have them here,” Judd said. “So we only want to share one thing as you move in hundreds a day, welcome to Florida, but don’t register to vote and vote the stupid way you did up north or you’ll get what they got.”
“There’s a reason that this place is fun,” Judd continued. “There’s a reason why we have a 49-year-low crime rate. And the same people that don’t think we should have an anti-rioting bill or a rioting bill are the same ones that think we ought to let more people out of prison. And where they’re doing that, as the governor and our speakers have alluded to, crime goes up, but it’s not just crime that goes up, victimization goes up.”
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TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED VIA REV:
RON DESANTIS, GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA: When we wanted to do this, we obviously made the announcement here, and one of the reasons we did is because the Sheriff of Polk County Grady Judd, I was all in on this from the beginning, 100% supportive, and offered whatever assistance he could have. And so we really appreciate support of all the law enforcement, but particularly those who are with us immediately. And so I want Sheriff Judd, who’s hosting us here today, to come up and say a few things.
GRADY JUDD, SHERIFF OF POLK COUNTY: Thank you, governor. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve had the privilege of being in law enforcement my entire adult life and I’ve worked with the legislature for a majority of my law enforcement career in my adult life. Never have I seen the leadership that I see with Governor DeSantis, with Speaker Sprowls, and with President Simpson. They’re making a positive difference, not for government, but for the people of the state of Florida, Florida is a unique place and a special place. It’s where we work, where we live, but it’s also where the world comes to play, to bring their children, and their children have a right to be safe. And that’s guaranteed under the leadership of our governor, our speaker, our president, and the way we do business in Florida.
You can compare and contrast. Look at Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis. That’s no way to treat the community. That’s no way to treat those that have put their entire life into building their business. We saw folks’ businesses burned around this nation who literally had worked their entire life and had every penny of their life savings involved. And what our governor said is, “That’s not happening here and we’re going to be proactive and we’re going to make sure people are safe.” Well, it might come as a surprise to you, governor.
DESANTIS: There you go.
JUDD: I want to make sure everybody knows this is a peaceful protest. We encourage it. It’s the foundation of our country and we want people to peacefully protest when they feel the need. This is a riot and this will get you locked up before quick in the state of Florida. Pay attention. We’ve got a new law and we’re going to use it if you make us. We’re going to protect the people. No longer will people walk up and surround you as a citizen of Florida or a visitor of Florida, surround you while you’re eating dinner at an outdoor cafe in a big mob without there being immediate consequences and arrest. It’s not acceptable. Well, there’s always some that don’t get it the first time. Peaceful protest, we encourage. And more riot. We can tell the difference, and I’ll guarantee you that you’ll be able to tell the difference if you come here and riot. If you come here and protest peacefully, we encourage that.
But why is all of this important? I’ll tell you why. I’ve got something I want you to see. This is what we enjoy in Florida. This is the Florida we know in love. This is what our governor, our speaker, our president, this is what all these law enforcement officers and administrators and sheriffs and police chiefs and their officers do every day. They guarantee an environment where you can come here and have fun. Heck, you can even have more fun. Here’s another picture. This is the Florida we know and love. We’re a special place and there are millions and millions of people who like to come here, and quite frankly, we like to have them here. So we only want to share one thing as you move in hundreds a day, welcome to Florida, but don’t register to vote and vote the stupid way you did up north or you’ll get what they got. There’s a reason that this place is fun. There’s a reason why we have a 49-year-low crime rate. And the same people that don’t think we should have an anti-rioting bill or a rioting bill are the same ones that think we ought to let more people out of prison. And where they’re doing that, as the governor and our speakers have alluded to, crime goes up, but it’s not just crime that goes up, victimization goes up. The people in those states are hurt and killed and their livelihoods changed and their children are changed. So when I look at this president, I know my children and my grandchildren are safer today than they’ve ever been because of his leadership and the leadership of our speaker and our president and the wonderful men and women and the sheriffs that are here. God bless you all.
DESANTIS: Well, it wouldn’t be a Grady Judd press conference without some visual aids. I also want to recognize the Brevard Sheriff, Wayne Ivey. He was with us on this from the very beginning. He’s also been working very closely with us dealing with other public safety issues, such as the new administration’s decision to be releasing convicted criminal aliens. We believe they should be removed once they’ve served their prison sentence, and so we’re working hard to mitigate any damage from that. And Wayne Ivey’s been been there with us every step of the way. So Sheriff.