Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
From the swamplands to the spreadsheets, Ron DeSantis and his hand-picked CFO are widening the net on both the immigration crackdown and government efficiency raids.
Soon, “Alligator Alcatraz” will share the spotlight with “Deportation Depot” — a Baker County offshoot built on the same model as its Everglades predecessor, right down to the made-for-headlines alliteration. The branding isn’t filler; it’s a framing tactic meant to lock in the state’s narrative on a national flashpoint before critics can counter.
Alligator Alcatraz proved the approach works — polling showed nearly nine in 10 Florida voters recognized the name within weeks of its first mention. Short, sticky labels set the conversation’s boundaries from day one, and “Alligator Alcatraz” and “Deportation Depot” do exactly that.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is working from a similar playbook in St. Petersburg, where his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audit is in full swing. DOGE may be a borrow-word from Trumpworld, but it’s no less effective. And the strategy most associated with it — move fast and break things — is evident on both fronts.
In Baker County, that means converting a former prison to stage and fly out detainees before legal challenges can mount. In St. Pete, it’s setting up shop in the Municipal Services Center and combing through 18,000 city documents tied to targeted spending — from DEI programs to environmental resiliency, homeless support, mental health, and transit — leaving local officials to justify their priorities from the back foot.
Evening Reads
—”Donald Trump will host cage match at the White House” via Judd Legum and Rebecca Crosby
—“The ‘weirdos’ shaping Trump’s second term” via Zack Beauchamp of Vox
—“xAI was about to land a major government contract. Then Grok praised Hitler” via Zoë Schiffer and Makena Kelly of WIRED
—”The 29 craziest lines from Trump’s Kennedy Center press conference” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—“Ron DeSantis says White House should ‘award’ Florida another congressional seat” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—”Florida announces ‘Deportation Depot’ detention center” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel
—“St. Pete DOGE audit enters second day with Blaise Ingoglia ‘hell-bent’ on tax relief” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
—”The GOP is betting Latino Trump voters will keep them in power. That’s no sure thing.” via Sabrina Rodriguez of The Washington Post
—”The logic of the ‘9 to 5’ is creeping into the rest of the day” via Julie Beck of The Atlantic
—”Triple dipping? Vince Nowicki accused of trying to be his own aide, serve as Treasure Island City Manager” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“We’re setting a precedent here, folks … food insecurity is not imaginary. It’s real. It’s real, and most importantly, we can do something about it.”
— Senate President Ben Albritton, announcing a new state program that connects farmers, food banks and hungry Floridians.
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.
Mix up a Smoky Harvest for Albritton and Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson for their feel-good spotlight on the state’s new anti-hunger campaign.
Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki’s triple dip suggestion certainly took some nerve, but he may as well lean in all the way with a Triple Triple Mint Sour.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Dolphins look for more from starters in second preseason game
The Miami Dolphins play their second preseason game of 2025 on Saturday when they travel to Detroit to face the Lions (1 p.m. ET, WFOR).
The Dolphins opened the preseason with a 24-24 tie against the Chicago Bears. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa directed a 15-play drive that relied on the short passing game. The Dolphins’ running game failed to capitalize on four straight runs from inside the Chicago 10-yard line.
Tagovailoa completed five of six passes for 27 yards in his one drive of work. Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers quarterbacked the team the rest of the way.
The Lions opened the preseason with a 17-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in a game that was suspended in the fourth quarter after Lions safety Morice Norris Jr. was taken from the field in an ambulance after a head injury. Most of the Lions’ starters did not play in the game, so Saturday will offer the first look at Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and most of the other stars for the Lions.
After Saturday’s game, the Dolphins’ final preseason contest is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium.
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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.
