Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chose not to meet with President Joe Biden on Saturday, September 2, during Biden’s tour to assess the damages from Hurricane Idalia. Previously, Biden indicated that he would meet DeSantis during this trip. However, the governor’s office clarified later that there were no plans for such an interaction.
The primary reason given was the belief that the security measures required for the president’s visit could obstruct recovery operations in rural areas impacted by the hurricane. Governor DeSantis stressed that the presidential visit and the associated security protocols could cause disruptions. The focus, he said, should be on restoring power and facilitating relief operations in the affected regions.
In a statement, the White House noted that President Biden’s visit was meticulously planned to ensure minimal disruptions to recovery efforts. Coordination with FEMA and state and local authorities was in place to avoid any interference. An official from the White House pointed out that Governor DeSantis had been informed about the visit well in advance and had not mentioned any concerns at that time. Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator, confirmed that the arrangements for the visit were mutually agreed upon.
During his assessment tour, President Biden was joined by Senator Rick Scott, who once served as Florida’s governor. Senator Scott expressed appreciation for the president’s response to the hurricane.
It’s worth noting that Governor DeSantis, who is currently a presidential candidate, has in the past expressed disagreement with Biden’s policies. However, during previous disasters in Florida, both leaders have set their differences aside. DeSantis had acknowledged the positive federal response following the 2021 Surfside apartment collapse and Hurricane Ian in 2022. Many observers view the governor’s recent choice as a strategic move with the upcoming 2024 presidential elections in mind.