Former GOP Officials Express Concerns Over Florida Governor’s Takeover of Disney World
A group of former high-level government officials, including former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson, has raised concerns about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ takeover of Disney World’s governing district. The group, comprised mostly of Republican officials, filed a friend of the court brief in Disney’s federal lawsuit against DeSantis and his appointees to the board of Disney World’s governing district.
Disney’s lawsuit claims that the governor violated the company’s free speech rights by taking over the district after Disney publicly opposed Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law. This controversial law banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. According to the group of former officials, DeSantis’ actions are severely damaging to the state’s political, social, and economic fabric.
The group argues that DeSantis’ actions harm Florida’s economy by dissuading firms from doing business in the state due to fears of retaliation from the governor. They highlight the decision by Disney to scrap plans for a $1 billion campus in Orlando, which would have relocated 2,000 employees from Southern California, following a year of attacks by DeSantis.
The group, which includes two former GOP governors and three former Republican U.S. House members, believes that DeSantis’ takeover of Disney World’s governing district resembles autocratic actions taken in countries like Russia and China. They argue that these actions undermine the democratic principles envisioned by the Constitution and emphasize the court’s role in curbing the excesses of governance by retaliation.
In response, the governor’s office has yet to provide a comment. However, DeSantis, who is a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, seeks a dismissal of Disney’s lawsuit, claiming that legislative immunity protects officials involved in the law-making process, and Disney lacks standing to bring the lawsuit since it can’t demonstrate harm.
The dispute between Disney and DeSantis dates back to last year when Disney publicly opposed the state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, Republican lawmakers passed legislation restructuring the district, and DeSantis appointed a new board of supervisors. Disney filed a federal lawsuit, alleging that the governor violated their free speech rights.
Furthermore, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has also filed a brief in support of Disney, arguing that a victory for DeSantis would set a precedent for governments across the U.S. to take action against journalists and media organizations when exercising their First Amendment rights.
The group of former officials aims to shed light on the negative consequences of DeSantis’ actions and their impact on Florida’s political, social, and economic landscape. Their concerns reflect a broader debate around the limits of executive power and the importance of protecting free speech rights in democratic societies.
As the legal battle between Disney and DeSantis continues, all eyes are on the court’s decision, which will have implications for the relationship between government, private companies, and freedom of speech in the state of Florida.
