Florida officials react to Trump inauguration

ORLANDO, Fla. — State leaders and other officials are reacting to President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

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Governor Ron DeSantis posted on social media:

Senator Rick Scott released the following statement:

The Florida Democratic Party released the following statement:

“Today is not the day we hoped for,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “It’s not a day where we can celebrate the strength of our democracy or the victory of Dr. King’s dream — instead, it’s a day where we have to worry about what life will be for the next four years. No matter what Democrats are feeling today, Donald Trump can’t be allowed to break our spirits. Because in the words of Dr. King, ‘we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’

“This morning, I am reminded that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice’ — and that it doesn’t bend on its own. While we prepare to defend ourselves from the extremism of the Trump Administration and their Project 2025 agenda, let us remember our responsibility to fight for a better tomorrow. Together, we can continue the fight for an equal and more affordable America, a strong representative democracy, and a truly more perfect union.”

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus released the following statement:

STATEMENT OF THE FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE INAUGURATION OF DONALD TRUMP

Today, we recognize two very different men. One man, Martin Luther King, Jr., spent his life in the service of the community, fighting for justice and freedom, and against the forces of tyranny that first enslaved, then oppressed, entire generations of people. The other, Donald Trump, has spent almost 80 years in service to his own desires while fighting for retribution for personal grievances. Dr. King is revered around the world as an honest and thoughtful beacon of hope. President Trump is known as an impulsive authoritarian with an insatiable need for praise, money and power and not the slightest reverence for the truth. Their paths cross today in an accident of the calendar, and we have the opportunity to draw contrasts between their words and their deeds, between the light and the darkness. Florida’s LGBTQ+ community will always choose the light, and that’s where our fight for freedom takes us.

Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump:

Today, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) released the following statement on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump:

“While I opposed the man who was sworn in and disagree with many of the despicable things that he said and plans to do today, I have deep respect for the office of the presidency. Therefore, I will seek as much common ground as possible to make life better for all Americans, not just a select few.

“Given the avalanche of lies, disrespect and ugly vengeance he unfurled in his inauguration speech, it may prove difficult. Make no mistake, the resistance to his penchant for cold-hearted policies that harm the weak and favor only the wealthy, did not diminish. It has only hardened. I will join House Democrats to fight for lower costs, more reproductive freedoms, and stronger worker, gun violence, voter, and environmental protections. And I will fiercely protect health care, including Social Security and Medicare programs that millions of Americans count on, as well as our ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.

“Like before, the new president inherits the world’s strongest economy. If he does anything to endanger that, I’ll do all I can to reduce any harm he might inflict on America’s families and our seniors.”

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