Jimmy Patronis fumes at Democrats after Blue Angels cancel rest of season

The Blue Angels have canceled the rest of the season as it becomes clear a federal shutdown will linger into November.

That forces a shake-up of the schedule for the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda and the cancellation of a homecoming show expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Panhandle in November.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis said voters should blame Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for grounding coming airshows.

A news release from Naval Air Station Pensacola announced the end of the airshows, including a show marking the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.

“Due to the current funding situation and the lead time required to secure and execute the necessary contracts for performers and support services, cancellation of the 2025 Homecoming Airshow is unavoidable,” NAS Pensacola commanding officer Capt. Chandra Newman said in a media statement.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the impact it will have on the community.”

Patronis, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, blamed “far-left radicals” and leadership in the Senate.

“This cancellation is a direct result of Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats’ selfish decision to keep the government shut down. Their political games aren’t just stalling Washington; they’re hurting real people here at home,” Patronis said.

“The Blue Angels represent excellence, service, and unity, but Democrats in the Senate have chosen division and dysfunction. I want to commend Captain Chandra Newman for her professionalism and steady leadership in navigating this difficult situation. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, a milestone that should be celebrated with pride, not spoiled by far-left, partisan hackery. The Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is a proud Pensacola tradition that brings together hundreds of thousands of families, veterans, and businesses to celebrate our nation’s military and the incredible men and women of the U.S. Navy.”

The Blue Angels previously had delayed shows in hopes appropriations would be restored. While military operations deemed essential have remained open during the shutdown, civilian-dependent work not critical to national security has gone unfunded.

The Blue Angels were expected to fly in Punta Gorda this weekend to headline the Florida International Air Show. That was to be the first Blue Angels show in Southwest Florida since 2012. Additionally, the government shutdown means exhibitions by the F-16 Viper Demo Team and Heritage Flight Team will not take place.

“While that’s out of our hands, we’ve added some incredible new performers who are guaranteed to keep the skies just as thrilling!” reads a social media statement from organizers.

The Blue Angels were next supposed to participate in the Navy branch anniversary show in Philadelphia.

Then, the squad was set to return home for a homecoming show in Pensacola. That show has been canceled altogether.

Patronis said it was unfortunate the ongoing budget talks in Washington have economic consequences in his district. He maintained that the House has passed a budget, and a Democratic minority in the Senate is the chief barrier to reopening the government.

“While far-left lunatics refuse to fund the government, it’s our servicemembers, military families, and local economies who are being punished,” he said. “It’s time for Democrats to stop holding America hostage and reopen the government so that Congress can do our jobs and American families can put food on their tables.”

Schumer, for his part, has said the Democratic caucus cannot accept a budget that allows subsidies in the Affordable Care Act to expire at the end of the year.

“Because of the Republicans: In Louisiana, the average sixty-year-old couple making $85,000 a year could see their premiums increase by $25,700. In South Dakota, it will be an annual average increase of $26,000,” Schumer posted on X. “In Florida, it’s an annual increase of $27,000.”