Vice President Kamala Harris has charged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with “playing political games” as the Sunshine State braces for Hurricane Milton.
However, the governor shot back by saying, “It’s not about you, Kamala!”
According to Mediaite, Harris took the first dig Monday when a reporter asked the Democratic presidential nominee about DeSantis not taking her calls regarding “hurricane resources and help” in light of Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 hurricane, barreling towards Florida.
“You know, moments of crisis, if nothing else, should really be the moment that anyone who calls themselves a leader says they’re gonna put politics aside and put the people first,” Harris said. “People are in desperate need of support right now. And playing political games at this moment in these crisis situations, these are the height of the emergency situations.”
“It’s just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish, and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is to put the people first,” she added.
DeSantis responded Tuesday morning on “Fox & Friends” by stating Harris is the one politicizing the situation, which, he said, he does not have time to deal with.
“Well, I think she should look in the mirror. We’ve been on an emergency footing for two weeks straight, round the clock, 24-7. We’ve been working in my office, our division of emergency management, helping people prepare for Hurricane Helene, helping effectuate rescues of people after Hurricane Helene, helping people pick up the pieces of their lives after Helene, and then have to also turn around and prepare for major impacts and maybe even more impacts from Hurricane Milton,” DeSantis said. “Be able to have rescue personnel ready to help people and then, of course, help with the power restoration, all these things to do.”
He said he is focused on helping Florida residents, not taking Harris’ calls.
“So that’s been my sole focus. My focus has not been on dealing with Kamala Harris. I did I saw the news report. I didn’t know she tried to contact me. But I’d also say it’s not about you, Kamala,” DeSantis added. “It’s about the people of Florida. My focus is exactly where it should be. And I can tell you this. I’ve worked on these hurricanes under both President Trump and President Biden. Neither of them ever tried to politicize it.”
He also questioned why she is calling in the first place.
“She has never called on any of the storms we’ve had since she’s been vice president until apparently now,” DeSantis said.
“Why, all of a sudden, is she trying to parachute in and inject herself when she’s never shown any interest in the past? We know it’s because of politics. We know it’s because of her campaign.”
“I have zero time to entertain these political games. We’re going to continue to do what we need to do to prepare and respond to what may be one of the most damaging storms in the history of the United States. So she says focusing on protecting your people is selfish. I think she ought to look in the mirror,” he said.
Brian Kilmeade then asked, “You have what you need from the federal government as well as you feel like you have the resources in place. Is that correct?”
“We every request we’ve made and I’ve been in contact with the president. I’ve been in contact with the FEMA director,” DeSantis said.
“You know, it’s interesting. Harris is not even in the chain of command. What does she do role in this?” he asked rhetorically. “I mean, the idea that I should be like worrying about her when I’m focused on the task at hand is just quite frankly, absurd.”
DeSantis continued by stating Florida is ready for Hurricane Milton.
“So, yes, all of our requests have been answered,” he said. “We have marshaled all state resources that are available to us. It’s going to be a very robust response, but it’s going to be a lot of damage, and we’re bracing for that.”
“I’d ask everyone to keep us in your prayers. We know we’re going to get hit, but hopefully, we can pray that this storm will weaken and do the least amount of damage possible,” he said.
