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Trump is weighing DeSantis for defense secretary. What does it mean for Florida politics?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ possible departure from Tallahassee to take the helm of the Department of Defense is sending political shockwaves across the Sunshine State. Amid signs that Trump’s current pick for defense secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is facing crumbling confirmation odds in the U.S. Senate amid allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual assault, DeSantis has emerged as a top contender for the top Pentagon role, according to three people familiar with the situation. It’s unclear whether DeSantis would accept the job if it’s offered to him.

Yet his departure from the governor’s mansion would leave a staggering power vacuum in a state that has been thoroughly and unquestionably reshaped by DeSantis for nearly six years — and potentially reshape the state of politics in Florida ahead of the 2026 election.

“He casts a large shadow in Florida. There’s no question,” said Jamie Miller, a Republican consultant and former executive director of the Florida GOP. Miller added that, while there are other top Republicans who can step in to fill the leadership vacuum left by DeSantis, “it won’t be without its growing pains.”

Neither Trump’s transition team nor DeSantis’ office responded to the Herald/Times’ requests for comment on the possibility that the Florida governor could be named to lead the Defense Department should Hegseth’s nomination fall through. 

Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from consideration

Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation.

Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.”

“Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer.

Jared Moskowitz becomes first Democrat to join DOGE Caucus

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is jumping on the DOGE train. The Parkland lawmaker announced he is joining the Delivering on Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus. It will support a similarly named advisory commission headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to restructure federal agencies under President-elect Donald Trump.

Moskowitz is the first Democrat to join the Caucus. He explained the move Tuesday, pointing to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an example of a “very necessary” agency that needs downsizing.

“I believe that streamlining government processes and reducing inefficient government spending should not be a partisan issue. I’ve been clear that there are ways we can reorganize our government to make it work better for the American people,” he said.

“The Caucus should look at the bureaucracy that DHS has become and include recommendations to make Secret Service and (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) independent federal agencies with a direct report to the White House. It’s not practical to have 22 agencies under this one department.” Moskowitz, who previously led the Florida Division of Emergency Management, joins a slew of GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill as an inaugural DOGE Caucus member.

Ileana Garcia bill would guarantee nursing home patients the right to record their rooms

Florida’s oldest and wisest residents are also among its most vulnerable, and Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia just introduced legislation designed to better protect them. Garcia filed a bill (SB 64) that would guarantee any nursing home and assisted living facility (ALF) resident or their guardian the right to install and use an electronic monitoring device — a camera, audio recorder or combination of the two — in their room.

The long-term care facilities wouldn’t be able to block the use of the devices or retaliate against residents or their guests. Violators would face a $500 fine per violation.

People other than the residents, their guardians, or third parties they authorize would be prohibited from tampering with the devices. Violators would face a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Garcia’s measure comes amid a spike in serious violations at Florida nursing homes, including many instances of abuse, poor care and neglect. A review of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) data found that between 2012 and 2018, the number of serious nursing home violations in the state averaged about 32 a year. Between 2019 and 2022, it more than doubled to 71 yearly.