Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis announced on Friday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, becoming the fifth GOP senator to announce her retirement this year.
&#8220;Deciding not to run for re-election does [not] represent a change of heart for me, but in the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/CynthiaMLummis/status/2002116715845665055?s=20">said</a> Lummis, who has served in the Senate since 2021.
“I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon. The energy required doesn’t match up,&#8221; the 71-year-old senator added.
Lummis joins a growing list of Republican senators who have announced this year that they will not seek to remain in the chamber, including longtime GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell (KY), Joni Ernst (IA), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and Thom Tillis (NC).
The Wyoming senator was a strong ally of President Donald Trump, who endorsed her in the 2020 election before Lummis went on to win the primary and general elections in landslide victories.
&#8220;I am honored to have earned the support of President Trump and to have the opportunity to work side by side with him to fight for the people of Wyoming,&#8221; Lummis added in her statement. &#8220;I look forward to continuing this partnership and throwing all my energy into bringing important legislation to his desk in 2026 and into retaining commonsense Republican control of the U.S. Senate.&#8221;
<a class="c-link" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
Lummis&#8217; departure will likely not affect the balance of power in the Senate as Wyoming remains a reliably red state, but with her retirement, the GOP must now rally behind a new candidate in 2026. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, who defeated Trump critic Liz Cheney in 2022, is considered a potential candidate to replace Lummis.
Before being elected to the Senate in the 2020 election, Lummis served in the U.S. House for eight years. She got her start in politics in the Wyoming House of Representatives at just 24 years old. Lummis became known as the &#8220;Crypto Queen&#8221; in the Senate for her work to develop U.S. regulations on cryptocurrency and establish a national Bitcoin reserve.
&#8220;We sincerely thank Senator Cynthia Lummis for her dedicated service to the people of Wyoming and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement,&#8221; The Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund said. &#8220;Senator Lummis’ strong conservative record is unquestioned, and her list of accomplishments includes ensuring that the United States is the world leader in digital currencies and energy production. While she will be missed, we look forward to seeing many more great things ahead for Senator Cynthia Lummis.&#8221;

Cynthia Lummis

Another Republican Senator Announces Retirement Ahead Of 2026 Midterms

2026 Midterms

Donald Trump

Republicans

U.S. Senate

SpaceX and Tesla owner Elon Musk recently donated to several Republican campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The donations signal that the world’s richest man is once again planning to use his influence to back the GOP, just months after he floated the idea of launching a third party amid a public feud with President Donald Trump.
Musk “cut big checks” for Republicans as the party seeks to hold onto both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterms, Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/16/elon-musk-donations-midterms-republicans-trump">reported</a>, citing two sources. Musk also reportedly suggested he would make more donations to Republicans in the future.
Musk spent around $240 million backing Trump and Republicans in 2024 through his political action committee and was then given an advisory role in the White House, which he used to push for major cuts to government spending. Musk’s time in the White House, however, was short, and amid a bitter falling out with Trump and the GOP over the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” he said in May that he would dial back his spending on future elections.
“I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said at the time, adding, “If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason.”
In early June, the feud between Musk and Trump escalated, with the president saying that Musk “just went CRAZY,” and Musk <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/elon-musk-goes-after-trump-over-epstein-files-time-to-drop-the-really-big-bomb">firing back</a> by accusing Trump of covering up the Epstein files.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible c-link--underline" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk said in a now-deleted social media post.
The entrepreneur’s relationship with Trump has appeared to heal since his dramatic exit from his position as the president’s adviser. Trump and Musk were seen <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1969897602524328440?lang=en">chatting</a> during the memorial service for Charlie Kirk in September. Musk also attended a dinner at the White House for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month.
Musk’s reported donations to Republicans come after he had dinner with Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles last month, Axios reported. Vance hosted the dinner at the vice president’s residence, and Musk’s wealth manager, Jared Birchall, was also in attendance.
The donations will be made public when campaign finance reports are released next month. Republicans are preparing for a hotly contested election cycle as they defend their majorities in the House and the Senate. Current polls and public opinion suggest that Democrats are poised to take control of the House, which would severely limit Trump’s agenda for the final two years of his term.
During his feud with the president, Musk also said that Trump would have lost the 2024 election without him and claimed “Dems would control the House.”

Elon Musk

Back In The Game? Musk Reemerges As Major GOP Donor, Reportedly Cuts ‘Big Checks’ Ahead Of Midterms

Musk Reemerges as Major GOP Donor With Big Checks Before Midterms

The Republican-led Indiana Senate voted against a proposal backed by President Donald Trump to change the state&#8217;s Congressional map, which would have likely flipped two Democratic seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The effort to pass a new map failed in a 19-31 vote despite Trump&#8217;s public pressure on Indiana Republicans to follow in the steps of red states such as Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina and give the GOP a better advantage in next year&#8217;s pivotal elections. The Republican-favored proposal passed the Indiana House last week by a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/indiana-house-passes-new-republican-drawn-congressional-map-rcna246750">vote</a> of 57-41, but ran into Republican opposition in the state Senate.
On Wednesday, Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115698333420423237">warned</a> that any Republican who voted against the redistricting proposal would be met with a &#8220;MAGA primary,&#8221; adding, &#8220;If Republicans will not do what is necessary to save our Country, they will eventually lose everything to the Democrats.&#8221;
Last month, Trump blasted Indiana state senators who pushed back on his redistricting calls, saying that he was &#8220;very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats.&#8221;
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible c-link--underline" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
“The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it,&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!”
Vice President JD Vance <a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1999188621417419011">accused</a> Indiana Senate Republican leader Rodric Bray of telling the White House that he wouldn&#8217;t fight the redistricting effort &#8220;while simultaneously whipping his members against it.&#8221; Bray denied the accusations leveled against him by the vice president, saying, &#8220;Typically my style is to let people vote like they want. They could come with a yes or come with a no. It&#8217;s exactly what I did this time.&#8221;
After Indiana Republican Governor Mike Braun called for state lawmakers to reconvene for a special session on redistricting, Bray warned that there wasn&#8217;t enough support among GOP state senators to pass a new map.
&#8220;Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state&#8217;s congressional maps. I&#8217;m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December,&#8221; Bray <a href="https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/statement-from-senate-president-pro-tem-rodric-bray-regarding-possibility-of-redrawing-indiana-s-congressional-maps">said</a> in a statement on November 14.
Trump said on Wednesday that if the redistricting vote failed, &#8220;Rod Bray and his friends won’t be in Politics for long, and I will do everything within my power to make sure that they will not hurt the Republican Party, and our Country, again.&#8221;
The redistricting effort is just one of several around the country, with the Supreme Court ordering that Texas’ map with five additional Republican-favored districts could go forward. California passed Prop. 50 in November, which would allow five more Democrat-favored districts in the Golden State, and it is facing an ongoing lawsuit from the Justice Department. Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana are among the states with active redistricting battles, but it could end up leading to similar numbers favoring both parties overall, according to Cook Political Report’s Dave Wasserman.
The battle comes amid tight margins in the House ahead of 2026, with Republicans currently holding 220 seats compared with Democrats, who hold 213 seats. Two seats are currently vacant.
Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.

Indiana Redistricting/Trump

Indiana Senate Rejects Trump-Backed Redistricting Bid, Dealing Blow To GOP’s 2026 Outlook

Indiana Senate Rejects Trump-Backed Redistricting Bid, Dealing Blow To GOP's 2026 Outlook

Indiana

Redistricting

Some red warning sirens are beginning to sound about Republican hopes in 2026 and, yes, in 2028, because American politics is like a pendulum. If it swings one direction one moment, then wait a minute, it&#8217;ll probably swing back the other direction, naturally.
Miami has been Republican for decades, specifically because there&#8217;s a large Cuban Republican population, which is very anti-communist.
But for the first time in 30 years, Democrats have now taken control of Miami. That&#8217;s after candidate Eileen Higgins clinched the city&#8217;s mayoral election. Higgins beat out Trump-backed Republican Emilio Gonzalez in the Florida city&#8217;s runoff Tuesday night. She became the first Democratic mayor in the city since 1998.
President Trump threw his weight behind the Republican candidate. He was joined by senators Ted Cruz and Rick Scott, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. But it didn&#8217;t matter very much.
Some of the early bellwethers are not moving in Republican directions right now. It is also a warning for Republicans with regard to the Hispanic vote in the United States.
President Trump won an outsized share of Hispanics in the last election cycle. The polling shows that many, many Hispanics are falling off the Republican bandwagon right now because Trump solved some of the big issues, like closing the southern border. However, he has alienated an awful lot of Hispanic Republicans with some of the more public-facing ICE actions. And a lot of Hispanic Republicans, who were driven away from the Democratic Party by their social radicalism and DEI, have been moving back because Democrats have been moving away from those discussions and back toward “affordability.”
This is the issue of the day: “affordability.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2331?contentProgram=The%20Ben%20Shapiro%20Show&amp;contentType=ShowEpisode&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;location=Home%20Tab&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Home%20Featured%20Carousel"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-974957 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp" alt="DailyWire+" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-300x50.webp 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-768x128.webp 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1536x256.webp 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-2048x341.webp 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
President Trump has labeled affordability a Democratic hoax, which I totally understand because “affordability” is a broad buzzword that encompasses many things.
Does it encompass the inflation rate? If we&#8217;re talking inflation rate, Trump has brought down inflation to manageable levels — still higher than it should be, but it&#8217;s not riding at 9-11% as it was under Joe Biden.
If we&#8217;re talking about energy prices, they are falling under President Trump.
When people say “affordability,” it is fair to say that very few people ever think that things are “affordable.” Nothing is “affordable.” If you are struggling economically at any time in your life, this means inherently you&#8217;re going to think things are unaffordable.
When people talk about affordability, what do they mean? They mean that things are less affordable for them now than they were back in 2019. That is what the polling data shows. Americans are dissatisfied with how far their money is going right now.
Yes, many people are making more dollars than they were in 2019, but those dollars aren&#8217;t going quite as far. Items are less affordable than they were five or six years ago, but when Democrats talk about the problems of “affordability,” they are neglecting the fact that most of those problems emerged under Joe Biden.
That is what Trump means when he says that the “affordability” argument is a hoax. He means they created an inflationary spiral that jacked up prices, and then they handed him a bad situation. He has brought inflation down to manageable levels, and now they&#8217;re shouting about affordability. They can&#8217;t shout about inflation because if they say the word inflation, everyone&#8217;s going to look at Joe Biden and look at Trump and realize Trump brought the inflation rates down.
So if Democrats talk about “affordability” as a catch-all, that is a much more lucrative political line for them to pursue.
What we need, as always, is more deregulation, lower taxes, and better incentive structures for businesses to create new goods, products, and services.
When a party wins a national election, as Republicans did in 2024, the general tendency is to believe that you have a mandate and that you are in the ascendancy.
That may not, in fact, be true. It may be that a lot of people voted for you just because they didn&#8217;t like the other guy. When we live in a binary election system, that is the most common answer as to why people vote.
They&#8217;re not necessarily voting for something, they&#8217;re voting against something. And this is where I think the Republicans have to be very careful, because Republicans can tell themselves a story where we are now in the ascendancy. Culturally, we are in the ascendancy at the moment.
But what may actually be happening is that the most visible anecdotal evidence is in our favor, but the general statistical trend is not in our favor, and that&#8217;s something we need to keep an eye on if we want to be accurate about the solutions that we actually put forth.

President Trump Touts Inflation Focus In Pennsylvania

Is ‘Affordability’ A Democrat Hoax?

Affordable

Ben Shapiro

Democrats

Opinion

Judge II

The Strange Tradition The Left Is Using To Undermine Republicans

Conservatives

Judges

Judiciary

Matt Walsh

Walk into any corner of American political discourse today — scroll through social media, watch a committee hearing, or tune into any podcast — and you will see the same thing: grown adults calling each other names like middle schoolers fighting over a cafeteria seat. The foul language, the personal insults, the public meltdowns, the performative rage. This is not strength. It is not leadership. It is insecurity dressed up like courage and cowardice masquerading as conviction.
Somewhere along the way, we replaced statesmanship with screaming. We replaced persuasion with profanity. Ultimately, we have replaced the old fashioned American habit of debating ideas with the cheap and empty thrill of attacking people.
More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt, a man defined by both bold action and deep humility, gave us the blueprint for a better way: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Today, however, we have the opposite — loud voices and small sticks.
The big stick Roosevelt spoke of was not brute force. It was strength, moral, intellectual, strategic, and spiritual. It was the confidence to act boldly without needing to shout about it. It was the courage to make hard decisions without cursing out everyone who disagreed. It was the wisdom to understand that real power does not have to announce itself. That&#8217;s the model that built America. The opposite tears it down.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in the rise of profanity and name-calling as the default language of our modern political media. There is nothing courageous about calling your opponent a slur on X. There is nothing tough about dropping f-bombs into every sentence so people will mistake your aggression for authority. And there is nothing admirable about influencers who pretend to be fighters for truth while reducing every debate to schoolyard taunts.
Profanity is not a sign of depth, it is the last resort of someone who has run out of arguments. Name-calling is not a sign of strength, it is emotional immaturity. And using your platform to bully instead of uplift does not make you a leader, it makes you an attention addict.
The people screaming the loudest in politics today, both on the Left and on the Right, have something in common: they are far more committed to growing their audiences than growing their country. Drama pays. Rage sells. Insults go viral in a way that virtues rarely do. But ask yourself: When was the last time vulgarity solved a national problem? When was the last time calling someone a “retard” secured a border, balanced a budget, defended a family, or healed a division? It does not. It cannot. It never will.
History tells us who actually moves nations forward. If the loudest voices were also the most effective, America would be thriving right now. But our most consequential leaders embodied the opposite of today’s political showmanship.
Consider Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest persuader in American history. Under unthinkable pressure, he chose calm over chaos, clarity over insults, and moral force over personal attacks. He did not need vulgarity to restore the Union. He relied on conviction, compassion, and clarity of purpose.
Think of Thomas Sowell, one of the most influential thinkers of the last century. A man who never needed to insult anyone to defeat their ideas. He does it with facts, discipline, and rigorous logic. Sowell’s writing has changed more minds in silence than a thousand social media personalities have changed by shouting. He has proved that a sharp intellect always cuts deeper than a sharp tongue.
Consider Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led a movement that reshaped the moral conscience of the nation. He did not use foul language to rally a crowd. He did not dehumanize his enemies. His power came from his principles, not his profanity.
Look also at Ronald Reagan, whose strength came not from shouting but from optimism, clarity, and humor. He defeated the Soviet Union not with insults but with strategic vision, principled courage, and unshakeable conviction.
Even today, modern examples remain. American heroes across the military, law enforcement, public service, and civic life continue to change this country quietly and honorably, without needing the spotlight or the shock factor. They speak softly. They carry real sticks. They do real things.
Sometimes turning the volume down can amplify the ideas.
This is why the tragedy of our current political culture is so stark. We now confuse volume with vision. The modern algorithm rewards outrage, not outcomes. People chase retweets rather than respect and the result is a nation drowning in noise but starving for leadership.
When every debate becomes a brawl, the serious people leave the arena. When profanity becomes the currency of influence, the wise stop speaking.
The truth is that courage requires restraint. There is a myth that strong men must be loud men. But the opposite is true. The strongest people are those who can keep their composure while others lose theirs. The most persuasive voices are those that remain calm when the room gets heated. The most impactful leaders are not the ones who shout to be heard but ones whose character makes others quiet down to listen.
A man who must curse to be taken seriously has already lost the argument.
A politician who must demean others to feel powerful is already revealing weakness.
And an influencer who has to shock, insult, or degrade his audience to remain relevant is not shaping culture. He is cheapening it.
The good news is that we can reverse this cycle. The American people still hunger for calm over chaos, wisdom over theatrics, and substance over stunts. They want leaders like Roosevelt who can speak softly because they actually carry the biggest sticks: experience, knowledge, values, courage, humility, and truth.
Imagine a generation of leaders who choose persuasion over profanity, character over clout, solutions over screams. Imagine if our public square once again rewarded virtue instead of virality.
Today, too many people are doing the opposite. It is time to reject the cowards hiding behind insults and elevate the adults who carry real sticks. It is time to restore civil discourse to America. And it is time we stop celebrating the yellers and start honoring the builders.
* * *
Gates Garcia is the host of the YouTube show and podcast “We The People.” Follow him on Instagram and X @GatesGarciaFL.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Podcasters. Google Gemini.

Where Is ‘The Man In The Arena’?: Why America Needs Fewer Insults And More Adults

Where Is 'The Man In The Arena'?: Why America Needs Fewer Insults And More Adults

Culture

Debates

language

Podcast

Theodore Roosevelt

Words

California has opened its tip line to report federal officers, as Democratic leaders in the state attempt to push back on immigration enforcement measures by the Trump administration.
“My office created a portal that will allow Californians to report misconduct by federal agents,” Attorney General Rob Bonta posted to X on Wednesday, asking people to send in a tip if they “believe a federal agent is abusing their power or acting unlawfully.”
“Federal agents have broad authority to enforce federal laws, but they must do so lawfully,” he added.
The webpage specifically names Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the National Guard as examples of entities that could be reported to the state. However, it disclaims that it cannot guarantee it will “take any action” on a report.
The move was quickly blasted by Republicans, as there is a limited scope of what a state government can do regarding federal authorities.
“How about if you think state agents or officials have abused their power or committed unlawful acts?” Assemblyman James Gallagher said. “Asking for a friend.” Bonta is facing scrutiny for using roughly $500,000 in campaign dollars for legal assistance as part of a federal bribery case probe, <a href="https://www.kcra.com/article/attorney-general-rob-bonta-campaign-funds-legal-help/69477723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KCRA</a> reported.
“We have a portal too. People can report California state officials engaged in illegal activity at the following link,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli posted with a link to the FBI’s tip line. 
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a class="c-link" href="http://dailywire.com/cyberweek" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://DailyWire.com/cyberweek" data-sk="tooltip_parent">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.
The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-sues-to-block-california-laws-that-recklessly-endanger-lives-of-federal-agents">reported</a> last month that the Trump administration was suing the state over new laws seeking to stop federal agents from wearing masks and other measures that the administration says are meant to protect the safety and identity of agents who may be targeted while off the job.
“The No Secret Police Act and No Vigilantes Act directly regulate the Federal Government by dictating permissible uniforms for federal agents and forcing federal agencies to adopt specified policies,” the lawsuit stated. “But the Federal Government, not California, has authority to control its own agents and activities.”
At the time, Bonta raised concerns about Trump’s approach to immigration. The Golden State has been at the center of attention for the administration’s efforts, especially after anti-ICE riots broke out in Los Angeles earlier this summer, along with a tense raid at a pot farm leading to hundreds of arrests.
“It’s problematic when Californians can’t tell the difference between a law enforcement officer who is charged with protecting them and a criminal who is attempting to cause them harm,” Bonta’s office stated. “The FBI itself has warned that the practice of ICE agents obscuring their identity has led to a rise in copycats committing crimes, threatening public safety and eroding trust in law enforcement.”

ICE Raid At Southern California Farm Sparks Protests

California Opens Tip Line To Report Federal Immigration Agents, Quickly Blasted By GOP

Border Patrol

California

Immigration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

National Guard

Trump Administration

Republican Governor Henry McMaster moved to end race-based government contracting in South Carolina and called for lawmakers to take action to codify his executive actions. 
McMaster signed an <a href="https://governor.sc.gov/sites/governor/files/Documents/Executive-Orders/2025-12-03%20FILED%20Executive%20Order%202025-40%20-%20Prohibiting%20Race-Based%20Discrimination%20in%20Government%20Contracting.pdf">executive order</a> on Wednesday calling for state agencies to stop awarding contracts based on race. Under current state law, each state agency is required to propose a budget that awards 10% of spending to minority-owned businesses. 
“Today, I have ordered state agencies to halt all future spending, procurement or contract decisions that are based on race. The state laws requiring these quotas and racial set-asides are unconstitutional and discriminatory. Business with state government should be awarded based on merit and value to the taxpayer,” McMaster <a href="https://x.com/henrymcmaster/status/1996273026841682158">wrote</a> on X. “Senate President Alexander and House Speaker Smith have agreed to lead the effort to repeal these laws when the General Assembly returns next month.”
South Carolina’s Department of Transportation is also required to hand out a minimum of 5% of its awards for certain contracts to minority-owned businesses. 
In his executive order, McMaster said that the state laws mandating race-based contracting “call for unlawful racial discrimination” and that they are policies that “rest on the false assumption that the solution to perceived historical wrongs is to racially discriminate against individuals in the present.” 
McMaster also said that the policies may violate President Donald Trump’s executive actions taking aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. 
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/cyberweek" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.
South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander and House Speaker Murrell Smith, both Republicans, said they would move in January to codify the governor’s actions. 
“We are a nation and a state dedicated to the principle that ‘all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator,’ as reflected in the Constitution’s requirement of equal protection of the laws,” Alexander said. “When existing laws no longer align with that constitutional command, it is our duty to correct them. I am confident my colleagues in the Senate share my belief that state government must reflect equality under the law in all its endeavors and ensure our statutes fully comply with the Constitution.”
South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman <a href="https://x.com/RalphNorman/status/1996286119034454330">praised</a> McMaster’s action and called for the state legislature to pass a “full DEI ban.”
Amid Trump’s war on DEI at the federal level, some lawmakers have turned to the state level to challenge programs that favor minority businesses. In October, Texas <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/unless-youre-white-you-qualify-texas-suspends-business-program-that-excludes-white-males">suspended</a> a statewide program that prioritized non-white male businesses in state contracting. 
This was done through the Historically Underutilized Businesses, which received about 11% of state spending total. The total awards given to the businesses are over $4 billion, including $1.45 billion for women-owned businesses and $1.6 billion for Hispanic-owned businesses.

US-NEWS-SC-WILDFIRES-EMERGENCY-CS

Red State Governor Ends Race-Based Contracting, Calls For Lawmakers To Make Move Permanent

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Racial Discrimination

South Carolina

Prominent Democrats from across the country were campaigning for Tennessee Democrat Aftyn Behn on Monday night as the party hopes to pull off a &#8220;miracle&#8221; in Tuesday&#8217;s special election.
Behn, running against Republican Matt Van Epps for Tennessee&#8217;s 7th Congressional district seat, was joined on a Zoom call by some of the Left&#8217;s biggest names, including former vice president Al Gore, and far-left congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal. The virtual rally was the final event of Behn&#8217;s special election campaign and was attended by around 1,200 people, many of whom appeared to be hopping on Zoom from out of state based on their comments in the video call&#8217;s chat.
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that it would take a &#8220;miracle&#8221; for Democrats to turn the Tennessee district blue, but added that Behn&#8217;s position in the race has shown that &#8220;miracles still happen.&#8221; The democratic socialist from New York urged Democrats in Tennessee to remain hopeful that politicians like Behn can successfully push leftist policies in deep red states as the Democratic Party looks ahead to the pivotal 2026 midterm elections.
Behn is hoping to win the deep red district despite pushing leftist policies in the past, including voicing support for abolishing police departments and saying that she was &#8220;fearful&#8221; for &#8220;trans communities&#8221; after a trans-identifying shooter killed three Christian schoolchildren and three staff members in Nashville.
Behn&#8217;s Republican opponent was rarely mentioned during the rally, as the Democratic speakers focused much of their attention on attacking President Donald Trump and his administration. Democrats are positioning the Tennessee special election as a referendum on Trump&#8217;s agenda, as the party is optimistic that Behn is within striking distance in a district that went for Trump by 22 points in 2024.
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.
<div class="c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text">
<div class="c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text" data-qa="message-text">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer" data-qa="block-kit-renderer">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first">
<div class="p-rich_text_block" dir="auto">
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
The virtual rally got off to a bumpy start when Gore was introduced by Behn&#8217;s campaign manager, with the former vice president nowhere to be seen. After a few quiet and awkward moments, Gore&#8217;s face appeared on screen and he was introduced for a second time. Gore kicked off the rally by doubling down on that focus and painting the Trump White House as one of the most evil and corrupt administration&#8217;s in U.S. history.
Earlier on Monday, big name Republicans also gathered in the district to push Van Epps as the GOP and Trump emphasize the importance of the special election. At the Van Epps rally, Republicans were confident that they would win on Tuesday, but also acknowledged that the margins could be closer than what Republicans have come to expect in the district, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-reputation-of-our-state-is-on-the-line-gop-begins-final-push-before-critical-house-election?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=Original&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=%E2%80%98The+Reputation+Of+Our+State+Is+On+The+Line%E2%80%99%3A+GOP+Begins+Final+Push+Before+Critical+House+Election">reported</a>.
Republicans and Democrats have poured millions of dollars into the special House race, with Behn’s campaign raising over $1 million between October 1 and November 12, according to campaign finance records. In that same timeframe, Van Epps raised $591,000, but the Republican candidate is also getting a big boost from Trump-aligned outside groups that have spent over a million dollars on advertisements.
Over 84,000 voters cast their ballots during the early voting period, which lasted from November 12-26, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1169221962004705&amp;set=pcb.1169223325337902">according</a> to the Tennessee Secretary of State. A large chunk of Republicans and Democrats are still expected to head to the polls on Tuesday morning. Polling results from Emerson College and The Hill <a href="https://www.wsmv.com/2025/12/01/poll-shows-republican-van-epps-holding-slight-lead-over-democrat-behn-tennessees-special-congressional-race/">released</a> on Monday showed Van Epps with just a 2-point edge on Behn.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Al Gore/Aftyn Behn/AOC

Big-Name Dems Make Final Pitch For Aftyn Behn, Hope For Tuesday ‘Miracle’ In Tennessee

Al Gore

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Election

Tennessee

The 2026 midterm elections are still a year away, but Republicans and Democrats are already in full election mode as an important U.S. House seat is up for grabs on Tuesday.
Democrats are optimistic their candidate will make some noise on December 2, when votes are counted for the special U.S. House election that will determine who represents Tennessee&#8217;s 7th Congressional District. The seat became empty after Republican Rep. Mark Green retired on July 20, shortly after voting to pass President Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Big, Beautiful Bill.&#8221;
It&#8217;s a district that Democrats have no business winning and one that Republicans are counting on to help maintain their House majority come the 2026 midterm elections. For an off-year election in a deep red state, the stakes can&#8217;t get any higher, so here&#8217;s everything you need to know ahead of the December 2 election.
<h3>The Candidates</h3>
Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, 39, easily won the crowded GOP primary in October after an endorsement from President Trump. Van Epps is an Army helicopter pilot and combat veteran with years of experience in the Tennessee state government. He <a href="https://www.mattfortn.com/meet-matt">served</a> as the deputy chief operating officer for the Tennessee Governor&#8217;s Office. He was then tapped by Republican Governor Bill Lee to run the Tennessee Department of General Services, where he &#8220;oversaw statewide procurement, facilities management, and essential services that touch every department in Tennessee government.&#8221;
During the Republican primary, Van Epps was criticized by his opponents for working to implement strict COVID lockdown measures in the early days of the pandemic and was nicknamed &#8220;Tennessee Fauci.&#8221; That line of attack on Van Epps was ineffective, and he won the GOP primary by more than 25 points.
<div id="attachment_1005705" style="width: 586px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1005705" class="wp-image-1005705 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502-576x576.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502-576x576.jpg 576w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094309.502.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" />Matt Van Epps for Congress</div>
Van Epps <a href="https://www.mattfortn.com/issues">describes</a> himself as a &#8220;conservative warrior&#8221; who is focused on &#8220;advancing President Trump&#8217;s America First agenda.&#8221; Along with snagging Trump&#8217;s endorsement, the Republican candidate also boasts <a href="https://www.mattfortn.com/endorsements">endorsements</a> from Governor Lee, former Rep. Green, and Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan.
Democrats picked Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behn as their nominee for the 7th district special election. Behn, 36, has served in the Tennessee state House since 2023. The Tennessee Democrat was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kamala-harris-returns-campaign-trail-trump-country-back-aoc-tennessee">dubbed</a> the &#8220;AOC of Tennessee&#8221; by Democratic activist David Hogg, referring to leftist New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. After socialist Zohran Mamdani&#8217;s stunning victory in the New York City mayor&#8217;s race, Democrats are hoping that the party&#8217;s younger and more radical candidates can win, even in deep-red states.
<div id="attachment_1005697" style="width: 586px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1005697" class="wp-image-1005697 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635-576x576.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635-576x576.jpg 576w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094027.635.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" />Aftyn Behn, Tennessee General Assembly</div>
Other prominent Democrats have come alongside Behn, campaigning for her in Nashville. Last week, former Vice President Kamala Harris made a <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/18/kamala-harris-nashville-aftyn-behn-7th-district-election/87324707007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z114035p005050c005050u116535d00----v114035&amp;gca-ft=51&amp;gca-ds=sophi">surprise appearance</a> with Behn, returning to the Democratic campaign trail for the first time since her 2024 election loss.
Behn is not hiding from her leftist views. Earlier this year, she followed and filmed ICE agents and Tennessee Highway Patrol officers as they made immigration arrests around Nashville. She has <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJPrwJbpkoO/">called</a> Trump&#8217;s immigration operations &#8220;state-sponsored fear and violence.&#8221; Behn also voiced <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-democrat-aftyn-behn-wont-take-back-support-for-burning-down-police-stations">support</a> for burning down police stations during the 2020 George Floyd riots. She recently refused to address the controversial social media post where she stated, “Good morning, especially to the 54% of Americans that believe burning down a police station is justified.”
After three Christian schoolchildren and three staff members were killed by a trans-identifying shooter in Nashville in 2023, Behn <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-aftyn-behn-said-covenant-shooting-made-her-fearful-for-trans-communities">said</a> she was &#8220;fearful&#8221; for &#8220;trans communities.&#8221; Behn has also been slammed for saying in the past that she hates Nashville, parts of which she&#8217;s now running to represent.
<h3>The Location</h3>
The 7th district sits in the western part of what is considered Middle Tennessee. It spans from the state&#8217;s border with Kentucky, through north and west Nashville, and all the way to the Alabama state line. Voters in the 7th district went for President Donald Trump by 22 points in 2024, and the district has been safely in the hands of Republicans and Rep. Mark Green, who represented the 7th from 2019 until his surprise retirement earlier this year.
<div id="attachment_1005707" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1005707" class="wp-image-1005707 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094502.570-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094502.570-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094502.570-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094502.570-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/Untitled-design-2025-11-25T094502.570.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />TN 7th Congressional District, TN Secretary of State</div>
The various demographics inside the 7th district will be a key aspect to watch when results come in on Tuesday night. Much of District 7 covers rural areas, where Van Epps is expected to perform well, but it also covers north and west Nashville, which is far more liberal than the surrounding area. Behn will have to perform exceptionally well in those areas of Nashville and will need a high Democratic turnout for a chance to pull off an upset.
Last month&#8217;s primary election showed that turnout could be an issue for Democrats. Behn pulled off a narrow primary victory, receiving just over <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/07/us/elections/results-tennessee-us-house-7-special.html">8,600 votes</a>. Van Epps, meanwhile, pulled in over 19,000 votes in the primary as Republican turnout far outpaced that of the Democrats.
If Republicans show up in the counties surrounding Nashville and the more rural areas of the state as they have in recent House elections, Van Epps will likely cruise to victory. Tennessee&#8217;s 7th district includes areas such as part of wealthy Williamson County, which Trump <a href="https://www.politico.com/2024-election/results/tennessee/">won</a> by more than 30 points in 2024, and rural Robertson County, which Trump won by 40 points.
The House Majority PAC, which is connected to House Democratic leadership, believes that Democratic wins in New Jersey and Virginia earlier this month show that &#8220;no Republican-held seat is safe.&#8221; Democrats are also hoping that Behn can reach independents and moderate Republicans with her focus on affordability and the economy.
<h3>The Spending</h3>
Republicans and Democrats have poured millions of dollars into the special House race, with Behn&#8217;s campaign raising over $1 million between October 1 and November 12, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/millions-pour-tennessee-special-election-ahead-december-vote-rcna244846">reported</a>. In that same timeframe, Van Epps raised $591,000. Outside groups have also dumped millions of dollars on the race, mostly in support of Van Epps and in opposition to Behn. The Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. has reportedly spent over $1 million on the race. The conservative group Club for Growth has also waded into the special House race to boost Van Epps.
Behn&#8217;s campaign has spent more than half a million dollars on advertisements, while the Democrat-aligned House Majority PAC and Your Community PAC have spent a combined $950,000 on additional ads, according to the <a href="https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/24/tennessee-7th-congressional-district-election-spending/">Nashville Banner</a>.
<h3>The Expectations</h3>
Earlier this month, Cook Political Report <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/485206">moved</a> Tennessee&#8217;s 7th district from &#8220;solid&#8221; Republican to &#8220;lean&#8221; Republican. Under its summary of the race, Cook Political Report states, &#8220;Sources roundly agree that Nashville Democrats are ravenous at the prospect of an upset, while many Republican voters are unaware an election is even taking place.&#8221;
Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden <a href="https://wpln.org/post/how-competitive-is-tennessees-special-congressional-race/">told</a> WPLN News last week that the race will come down to how many Republican voters show up to the polls. Golden stressed that the special election date and early voting running up against the Thanksgiving holiday make the GOP campaign&#8217;s job even tougher.
“Anytime you have a special election that is bracketed by the Thanksgiving holiday, you can’t afford to take a day off,” he said. “I think if there’s concern, it’s just that people aren’t aware that they have the opportunity to vote right now.”

AftynVanEppsFinal

Everything You Need To Know For The Crucial Tennessee Special House Election

U.S. House of Representatives

Thanksgiving is a time when families thrive, and our conservative movement can learn key lessons from this uniquely American tradition as we move forward together.
Let’s begin with what’s best about the day: a shared table, familiar laughter, and the quiet grace of gratitude. Gratitude is not the fruit of harmony; it is the seed. Traditions renew; children grow up knowing the laugh of a cousin; and an uncle regales with stories of where the family came from. The mystic chords of memory, those invisible threads that bind generations, grow stronger and endure.
Thanksgiving is meant to be practiced. The meaningful work of breaking bread with people who vote differently, pray differently, and have different points of view preserves more than a holiday tradition. Amongst people you don’t always like but with whom you share a deep bond is where public deliberation starts — a practice foundational to American self-government. We keep the muscle memory of belonging to something larger than ourselves.
What’s true for our families is, of course, also true for our conservative movement and the nation we all endeavor to save.
Ronald Reagan is often remembered for saying, &#8220;All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” What is left out, however, is the line that follows: “So, tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven&#8217;t been teaching you what it means to be an American, let &#8217;em know and nail &#8217;em on it. That would be a very American thing to do.&#8221;
Let the talking begin this week — and let our conversations be an invitation to those we love to once again find unity in our purpose, first as families and then as a nation. At Heritage, we’ve started this family conversation, centered around four questions plain enough to ask around the dinner table and significant enough to guide a movement and save a republic:
What does it mean to be a flourishing American family?
What does it mean to honor the dignity of work and secure the future of free enterprise?
What does it mean to have true national security?
What does it mean to be an American citizen?
At Heritage, we have a point of view, confident in our thinking and our institution’s 52 years of robust intellectual history. We believe that united, good-faith conservatives will engage in this discussion. We are also certain we know what a restored America looks like:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marriage and family celebrated, not ignored or mocked.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Work dignified, wages rising, and two incomes a family choice, not a necessity.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Borders secure, military strong, enemies deterred.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Children learning truth — not ideology — in educational institutions that parents control.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Faith respected, civic virtue restored, patriotism the norm.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Government limited, debt shrinking, freedom expanding.</li>
</ul>
We call this Heritage 2.0 inside our organization, where every colleague contributed to its creation. We present it to you as our battle plan to save America.
Let there be no mistake; we are taking back Washington to save America. That puts a target on us — from the uniparty, the entrenched bureaucracy, and the deep state. Now may be a suitable time to reiterate with clarity our message to the purveyors of the status quo: Bring it on.
We sweat not for the elites, but for everyday Americans. We toil not to be keyboard warriors but to chart a course of national renewal. The future of conservatism — a fusion of old and new right — will succeed when we return power to the people.
Today’s populism didn&#8217;t emerge in a vacuum. It arose from failed leadership, calcified institutions, and elites who prioritized bureaucracy over everyday Americans. The people aren&#8217;t seeking minor fixes; they&#8217;re challenging the very credibility of the system, and often, they&#8217;re spot on. This ought to inspire our movement!
The clearest path to returning power to the people is through a wholehearted rejuvenation of federalism. We will never lose sight of the many millions who feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. More than any organization across the country, Heritage is fully engaged in the work required to ensure a free, self-governing people can raise families and engage in community and commerce with peace, principles, and prosperity.
Of course, the people will decide our future, as President Trump last week noted, appealing to the beauty of our American system. We are clear-eyed that our effort comes at a time of cultural and civic strain. But we’ve been here before. My friend and predecessor Ed Feulner wrote in his book The March of Freedom that conservatism is “a broad social movement of diverse but reinforcing beliefs, gathering travelers on the same journey — pilgrims who argue over the topography of their promised land but move in the same direction.”
As Vice President Vance also said, the forces arrayed against conservatives of all stripes have massive resources, and there is a point where infighting becomes counterproductive.
So, let us pull up chairs at the family table. Let us channel that turbulent passion and refine it with cool reason through public deliberation. Let us all be builders of a better America. Just as we will nurture the family tree through open dialogue, let us build America’s next 250 years under a thriving canopy of vibrant, interconnected branches rooted in self-governance.
Our Heritage is our future. Through it, together, we will save the republic and secure its future.
* * *
Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., is president of the Heritage Foundation.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
* * *
<h3>Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/blackfriday">dailywire.com/blackfriday</a>.</h3>

Roberts III

Thanksgiving, The Family Table, And A Playbook For The Work Ahead

Border

Education

Faith

Family Values

Heritage Foundation

Marriage

The Trump administration unveiled a new plan last week to ramp up offshore drilling off the coasts of Alaska, California, and Florida as the president seeks to usher in a U.S. energy boom. But some members of President Donald Trump&#8217;s party, including the Florida governor, aren&#8217;t thrilled about the administration&#8217;s goal to drill for oil near the Sunshine State&#8217;s beaches and military bases.
The U.S. Department of the Interior <a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-launches-expansive-11th-national-offshore-leasing-program-advance-us-energy">directed</a> the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last Thursday to open up seven additional lease areas in the Eastern Gulf for offshore drilling, an area in the Gulf of America around 100 miles off of Florida&#8217;s coast. The Trump administration also plans to open up 21 areas for lease off the coast of Alaska and six areas off the Pacific coast.
Florida Republicans, including Governor Ron DeSantis, Sen. Rick Scott, and Sen. Ashley Moody, are urging the administration to pump the brakes on the new plan. The Florida leaders want the federal government to reconsider the policy President Trump enacted during his first term, which banned offshore oil leasing off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through 2032.
&#8220;President Trump’s 2020 memorandum protecting Florida’s eastern Gulf waters represents a thoughtful approach to the issue. The Interior Department should not depart from the 2020 policy,&#8221; DeSantis <a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1991648106254069903">said</a>. The governor&#8217;s office added that the Gulf coast of Florida does &#8220;not have the same oil and gas reserves as other states in the region&#8221; and that the state &#8220;has active sites where drilling occurs on land.&#8221;
Florida politicians argue that the new oil leases threaten Florida&#8217;s pristine beaches, which attract millions of tourists each year, while also interfering with &#8220;critical&#8221; U.S. military bases on the state&#8217;s coast.
Scott, Florida&#8217;s senior senator and former governor, echoed DeSantis, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RickScottSenOffice/posts/floridas-beautiful-beaches-and-coastal-waters-are-so-important-to-our-states-eco/1386895662794430/">arguing</a>, &#8220;Florida’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters are so important to our state’s economy, environment, and military community, which is why I have fought for years to keep drilling off Florida’s coasts and worked closely with President Trump during his first term to extend the moratorium banning oil drilling off Florida’s coasts through 2032.&#8221;
Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/blackfriday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dailywire.com/blackfriday</a>.
&#8220;I have been speaking to Secretary Burgum and made my expectations clear that this moratorium must remain in place, and that in any plan, Florida’s coasts must remain off the table for oil drilling to protect Florida’s tourism, environment, and military training opportunities,&#8221; Scott added.
Senator Moody said the Trump administration&#8217;s move was &#8220;HIGHLY concerning,&#8221; adding that she &#8220;will be engaging directly with the [Interior Department] on this issue.&#8221;
The Interior Department&#8217;s move to free up more areas for offshore drilling is a response to former President Joe Biden&#8217;s &#8220;restrictive&#8221; oil and gas policies, according to the Trump administration.
“Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach the market,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production. By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come.”
Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-027-8408?originationContext=knowHow&amp;transitionType=KnowHowItem&amp;contextData=(sc.Default)&amp;firstPage=true">2020 memorandum</a> prevented areas off the Florida coast from being considered for &#8220;leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production&#8221; until 2032. After signing the memorandum in 2020, Trump was criticized by some people who believed the president was seeking to gain political favor among Floridians ahead of the 2020 election.
During his 2024 presidential campaign and after returning to the White House in early 2025, Trump vowed to ramp up American energy production and bring down energy costs for Americans. To accomplish this, Trump said it was time for the United States to &#8220;drill, baby, drill,&#8221; and on his first day back in the White House in January, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declaring-a-national-energy-emergency/">declared</a> a national energy emergency.
&#8220;A major focus of our fight to reduce inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. The previous administration cut the number of new oil and gas leases by 95%, slowed pipeline construction to a halt, and closed more than 100 power plants,&#8221; Trump said during his address to Congress in early March.
A group of Florida GOP representatives, including some of Trump&#8217;s most loyal supporters in Congress, also <a href="https://x.com/FBSaunders/status/1991623831610618051/photo/1">signed</a> a letter urging the president to reconsider the Interior Department&#8217;s latest directive.
&#8220;While we wholeheartedly support your push for American energy independence and expanded oil and gas production, the [Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range] is critical to advanced weapons development, flight testing, and joint exercises essential to maintaining America&#8217;s military superiority,&#8221; the letter states.

Menu