Jason Delgado
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried applauded President Joe Biden’s administration Wednesday for exploring ways to support school board members who violate an executive order implemented by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The order — which drew the ire of the White House — allows the state to impose financial consequences against school districts and superintendents who impose school mask mandates.
At a press conference in Tallahassee, Fried said she frequently communicates with the White House on a variety of issues.
“They want to be helpful,” Fried told reporters, noting that Florida’s economy ranks third for gross domestic product.
Fried listed a variety of issues in which the Biden administration may aid Florida, including funding and medical staff, among other provisions.
Despite the confidence, the White House has sent mixed messages.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday acknowledged the White House is indeed searching for legal avenues.
“We are continuing to look for ways… for the U.S. government to support districts and schools as they try to follow the science (and) do the right thing and save lives,” Psaki said.
Biden, alternatively, appeared less confident about his options.
“I don’t believe that I do thus far,” Biden said Tuesday of the possibility of intervention. “We’re checking that.”
Meanwhile, DeSantis dug his heels.
Parents’ rights, he said, will be defended.
“(I) think that they really believe government should rule over the parents’ decisions, and I think the parents’ decisions in this regard should ultimately be what is done,” DeSantis said. “The fact of the matter is the parents are in the best position to know what’s best for the kids.”
The back and forth between Washington and Tallahassee is the latest flareup over the President and Governor’s differing opinions.
After Biden told DeSantis and other Republicans to “get out of the way” of local governments trying to combat the virus last week, DeSantis responded.
“I don’t want to hear a blip about COVID from you,” DeSantis fired back.
Biden dismissed DeSantis’ four-minute remarks, quipping “Governor who?
18 comments
Jerry
August 11, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Nice grandstanding, Nikki. Got to generate those headlines for your campaign!
Federal government and state governments have different powers. Biden can’t mandate anything beyond federal property. And if he tries, the courts will knock him down.
Why are you Democrats so obsessed with masks on kids? They aren’t flooding the hospitals with COVID. How many kids have died of COVID in Florida this year? All this is is another attempt at controlling the population. We are done playing that game. We will not comply!
Matthew Lusk
August 12, 2021 at 1:27 pm
The Left loves indoctrinating kids. Of course the mask don’t work. It’s a form of conditioning for what’s coming. VACCINE PASSPORTS! The Nazi Quandt family just snagged the vax passport contract for the UK. This family used dying slaves during WWII Nazi Germany. The sodomite Jesuit order are in alliance with the NAZI UNDERGROUND.
Papa J
August 12, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Trump is your Nazi white supremacist. You repubes are scared of foreigners, muslins, black, brown and Asian.
Linda L Welbourn
August 14, 2021 at 10:24 pm
What a terrible & mean spirited comment. If you’re going to comment atleast use intellect & research instead of “slinging mud at the monkey’s”! Typical democratic rhetoric; mean spirited & no facts. You are what you speak & accuse others of being. A terrible day in America.
David
August 13, 2021 at 1:21 pm
If you aren’t a Centrist Liberal (Anywhere right of center — is not) — then you aren’t in-line with the Founding Fathers Liberal Foundations of the United States… Literally Thomas Payne said that our Schools should be free to attend, and only promote the Liberal principles of freedom… If you are against those Liberal Principles — you’re a fng TRAITOR to the United States…
Jj
August 13, 2021 at 5:32 pm
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics there’s an average of 1,540 new cases per day. Last Friday there was an average of 7 pediatric covid related deaths per day in the great state of Florida. You’re right maybe we should do what they did during the AIDS crisis and make it COVID 19 part of criminal transmission. It’s a felony with 3-8 years in prison. Then you guys can scream all you want a about masks and it’s your body. You forget that just like you have rights so does the
Person next to you.
Linda L Welbourn
August 14, 2021 at 10:31 pm
If anyone is worried they should get vaccinated & wear N95 masks. Otherwise, freedom means freedom. Have you all begun to crave socialism & communism? Its beginning to read & sound like that. As for me & my family, we chose freedom & freedom of choice. Limited government. God & His word to guide my steps & conscience. Thats it, Amen!
RN MSN PHN/D
PeterH
August 11, 2021 at 11:28 pm
Someone has to lead! Tallahassee is focused on DeSantis running for President! What a horror to realize. Here’s the DeSantis marching orders: Five steps backward …. One step forward.
Louise B.
August 12, 2021 at 12:27 am
Nikki, Move out of Florida if you don’t like the way our state is run in a proper legal manner, and within the laws (before Biden got in fraudulently) for over 100 years!
Louise Benedetto
August 12, 2021 at 12:33 am
Facebook did it again. They blocked my comment stating for the reason ‘it was a duplicate comment.’
This is the first and ONLY comment I made on this article that people can’t see now because of Facebook’s lying excuse! Thanks Zuckerberg!
Linda L Welbourn
August 14, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Yes, the wrath of Nazi America under joe biden. No capitals are intentional. I have no reverence or respect for someone who has none for me. We are in the fight of our lives in America. It is no longer the land of the free or home of the brave,; only the remnants thereof. My eyes tear at that thought every day.
Linda Welbourn
RN MSN PHN/D
Denmark
August 12, 2021 at 8:31 am
I know Nikki Fried thinks this is helping her, appearing every day before the cameras in the capital and trying to create an image that she is on a par with DeSantis, but it isn’t. All she comes across as is someone whose political ambitions are allowing her to exploit people’s anxieties.
bishop jerome
August 12, 2021 at 11:08 am
People are dying
children are sick
PLAYWRIGHT DR LARRY MYERS says his “patience has stretch marks”
MOVE!
“ambidexterity”
is his Covid vaccine play
Matthew Lusk
August 12, 2021 at 1:18 pm
If Nurse Nikki Rached had her way, she would have U.N. blue helmets patrolling child indoctrination centers in Florida. Floridians want freedom, not Fried.
Linda L Welbourn
August 14, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Nicely said, sir. Nicely said. I am impressed. Man of few words that have many meaning & the emotion of a true patriot. Thank you, Mathew
Marisol A Broderick
August 12, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Voting her out next election. #GetNikkiFriedOut
John B
August 13, 2021 at 8:59 am
Stay in the slow lane Nikki
Ronnie D is passing you in the fast lane.
Good luck running against him.
Linda L Welbourn
August 14, 2021 at 11:00 pm
Yes, the wrath of Nazi America under joe biden. No capitals are intentional. I have no reverence or respect for someone who has none for me. We are in the fight of our lives in America. It is no longer the land of the free or home of the brave,; only the remnants thereof. My eyes tear at that thought every day.
Linda Welbourn
RN MSN PHN/D
Comments are closed.