Nikki Fried joins calls to admonish Anthony Sabatini over controversial tweet

sabatinit
Fried's letter is the latest move by Democrats against Sabatini.

Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried joined a rising chorus of Florida Democrats on Monday calling for the admonishment of Republican Rep. Anthony Sabitini of Howey-in-the-Hills after he said he would greet rioters in his county with an AR-15.

In a letter addressed to House Speaker José Oliva and Speaker-Designate Chris Sprowls, Fried described Sabatini’s tweet as reckless and a violation of House rules.

“By encouraging armed violence against protestors, Representative Sabatini’s conduct fails to meet the basic standards of integrity, honor, confidence and professionalism that the House’s rules require,” Fried wrote.

Sabatini’s comments came after widely reported unrest, including violence and destruction of public property, in Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville, among other Florida cities.

The tweet included a picture of an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle.

“Attention potential ‘protesters’ coming near Lake County, FL. This is an AR-15 — this will be a very common sight upon illegal entry at any Lake County business — FYI!,” Sabatini tweeted Sunday.

Fried, Florida’s top Democrat, added that Sabatini’s tweet undermined the rules that House members must serve “with integrity in the public interest” and  perform “at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity …. of the House.”

“As Speaker of the House and Chair of the Rules Committee, I call upon you to admonish Representative Sabatini for his detrimental conduct through whatever means appropriate, including censure and removal of committee assignments, according to House Rules 15.9 and your judgement,” Fried concluded.

Sabatini is no stranger to criticism, particularly involving race. Sabatini’s complicated relationship with race includes being photographed in blackface as a youth. As well, he reportedly dressed like a “cartoon Mexican.”

Fried’s letter follows a complaint by Democratic Rep. Cindy Polo of Miami -Dade against Sabatini for inciting violence.

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.


4 comments

  • lumdor

    June 1, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    Bravo Nikki Fried!

    Your far sightedness will resurrect ‘Floridah’ back to Florida!

    Nikki for Governor!

  • Jimmy Conner

    June 1, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Typical Liberal. Censor those with whom we disagree

  • John Kociuba

    June 1, 2020 at 10:46 pm

    Anti-2nd Amendment Nikki Fraud’s political career is over! She knows it. We know it. Florida knows it!

    • Chuck Johnson

      June 2, 2020 at 9:39 am

      Clearly Representative Sabatini, like Sheriff Grady Judd, was speaking to those criminals who intend to loot and destroy our homes and community; not to those who are peaceably advocating their First Amendment right. It appears that the representative’s position on insuring the safety of the citizens and property in Lake County is spot on and we law abiding citizens appreciate it.

Comments are closed.


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