Politics
Last Call for 7.2.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
Ed. Note — With state employees getting Thursday off for a 4-day weekend, we are doing the same for Team Florida Politics — a brief hiatus for Sunburn. Don’t worry, a new jam-packed ‘Burn will hit your inboxes first thing on Monday! Thanks again for your support!
Have a wonderful Independence Day Weekend, and please stay safe!
First Shot
Attorney General James Uthmeier says Key West officials risk removal from office if they don’t reverse course regarding the city’s immigration enforcement policy.
Uthmeier sent a letter to Key West City Commissioners threatening civil and criminal penalties if the municipality doesn’t restore its law enforcement agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing officials are violating Florida’s ban on “sanctuary cities.”
“The City of Key West violated state law when they voted to void the Key West Police Department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE,” Uthmeier posted on X. “We will not allow this unlawful sanctuary policy in Florida. They have a choice: stop impeding law enforcement from enforcing immigration law or face the consequences.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a ban on sanctuary cities in 2019 that allowed police to enter into agreements with ICE. Earlier this year, he signed a new measure requiring such cooperation with federal agents.
Key West officials on Monday canceled an agreement for local law enforcement to assist federal officers in enforcing immigration laws and apprehending undocumented individuals in the country illegally, as reported by WLRN Public Media. Elected city officials at the meeting said they had no interest in advancing President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
“People who are seeking political asylum are important members of our community,” said Commissioner Samuel Kaufman. “We have thousands of them here, by the way. And they deserve the respect that anybody else does.”
At the meeting, City Attorney Kendall Harden stated that the city’s agreement was actually void because it had been implemented by city staff without a formal vote of approval from the Commissioners.
Uthmeier, though, noted that a state law requires every local law enforcement agency in Florida to enter a cooperative agreement with ICE.
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—”Donald Trump said trade deals would come easy. Japan is proving him wrong.” via Gavin Bade and Brian Schwartz of The Wall Street Journal
—“What Trump’s massive bill would actually do, explained” via Andrew Prokop of Vox
—”How Trump’s media war brought Paramount to its knees” via Sarah Ellison and Jeremy Barr of The Washington Post
—“ICE kidnappings are terrifying. Trump’s bill will supercharge them” via Tim Dickinson of Rolling Stone
—”With Trump’s policy bill teetering, Johnson is in a familiar pickle” via Annie Karni of The New York Times
—“Ron DeSantis’ net worth tops $2 million” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel
—”Florida says it fixed the flooding issue at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’” via Syra Ortiz Blanes, Ana Ceballos and Alex Harris of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times
—“DeSantis vetoes political restrictions on state workers and appointees” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
—“DeSantis surges to best level in weeks in 2028 Republican presidential survey” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—”G-strings attached: Strip club offers Carolina Amesty $250K for her legal defense — with a catch” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“If she’s looking to flip the narrative, we’ve got the lights, the stage, and the six-figure check ready.”
— Deja Vu Showgirls general manager Ann K, offering former Rep. Carolina Amesty $250,000 for her legal defense fund for a one-night special appearance at the Tampa strip club.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Carolina Amesty could use a Hard Bargain while she mulls a six-figure offer to work one night at Deja Vu Showgirls.
With the 4th of July around the corner and a new statue of Thomas Jefferson in the Jefferson County courthouse, it’s the perfect time to Drink Like a Founding Father.
The seven new inductees to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame each get their pick of these All-time Great Cocktails.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
U.S. plays for spot in Gold Cup final
The U.S. Men’s National team faces Guatemala in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tonight (7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1).
After four straight losses under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT has reeled off four straight wins in the tournament, including victories over Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Costa Rica, the latter in a penalty shootout.
Now, the U.S. can advance to the finals of the biggest international tournament of the summer in North America against the 106th-ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings. Tonight’s game marks the 28th all-time meeting between the two teams. The United States has won 16 times with six draws. The Americans have scored 47 goals while conceding only 19 in meetings. Guatemala has only won one of the last 23 meetings between the two countries.
Should the United States win tonight, they will face the winner of the other semi-final. Mexico or Honduras. Mexico is ranked 17th in the world, one spot below the United States, while Honduras is ranked #75.
Playing without a handful of top stars, the USMNT has turned to some inexperienced players during the tournament. Malik Tillman has scored three goals in the tournament, tied for the second most of any player. Patrick Agyemang has scored a pair, and midfielder Diego Luna has two assists in four matches. They are three of the players trying to impress Pochettino and earn a spot on the World Cup roster for next year.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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