Courtesy: Evan El-Amin- Shutterstock: President Donald Trump with a serious look as he delivers a speech at a campaign rally
In Florida, where he has close ties, President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States has attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities has caused a stir both domestically and internationally.
On social media on Saturday night, Mr. Trump declared that the United States had attacked the nuclear facilities in Iran at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. He spoke to the country about the strikes later that evening from the White House, calling the attack a “spectacular military success” and threatening “far greater” attacks if Iran does not “make peace.”
The U.S. operation, known as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” was described as the “largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history” that caused “extremely severe damage and destruction” to the targets, according to new information released by senior Pentagon officials on Sunday morning, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine.
In response to the strikes, Floridians of all political stripes—from lawmakers to law enforcement—have either praised or denounced the president for his conduct.
Florida police bolster patrols and security.
Local law enforcement organizations in Florida have informed the public that they have been stepping up security and patrols across the Sunshine State in response to the events in the Middle East.
Municipal police agencies and county sheriff’s offices have been placed on high alert, urging all Floridians to report any suspicious activity, especially in South Florida, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States.
In order to maintain safety and security, the police departments of the cities of Hallandale Beach, North Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, and Miami Beach have all made it clear that they are stepping up their officer presence at synagogues, schools, and other important sites connected to their Jewish communities.
Lawmakers in Florida either support Trump or oppose him.
Legislators in Florida, both Republican and Democratic, have been responding to the ongoing issue between the United States and Iran.
In an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday morning, former Florida senator Marco Rubio, who is currently the U.S. Secretary of State, warned Iran that closing the vital Strait of Hormuz would be a “suicidal” move for the regime and stated that the U.S. is prepared to meet with Iran in the wake of the strike.
Rubio went on to add that the United States has no immediate intentions to launch any more attacks on Iran until “they mess around.” He also urged Iran to seek negotiation.
The mission “was not an attack on Iran, it was not an attack on the Iranian people,” he added to Brennan. This was not a move to overthrow the regime. Three nuclear sites were intended to be degraded or destroyed by this.
“What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next,” Rubio stated. “We are prepared if they decide to pursue diplomacy. We can reach an agreement that benefits both the Iranian people and the global community. There will be repercussions if they decide to take a different path.
Rubio said that Mr. Trump still favors a diplomatic approach, claiming that prior to the strikes, the United States pressured Iran to reach an agreement to abandon its nuclear weapons goals.
“We’re prepared, right now, if they call right now and say, ‘We want to meet, let’s talk about this,'” Rubio informed Brennan. “We’re prepared to do that.”
Following the strikes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded on X on Sunday morning, stating that Mr. Trump “has been consistent and correct that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.”
“…thanks to Operation Midnight Hammer, those nuclear ambitions have been reduced to a far-fetched dream,” he stated.
DeSantis added that he and the state will keep working to repatriate Floridians from Israel to the United States, regardless of Iran’s reaction.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of the United States also went to X to express gratitude to Mr. Trump for “leading with strength and clarity” during the operation.
“Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons,” she stated. “May God protect our troops and may peace prevail through strength.”
Members of the Democratic Party
As she walked off stage at the Florida Democratic Party’s annual conference, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried released a statement following the news of the U.S. strikes on Iran, stating that she witnessed “shock and fear” on the faces of her colleagues as they attempted to comprehend “the gravity of what had just happened.”
“In a room of nearly 1,000 people, opinions and feelings ran deep on all sides of the issue,” Fried stated. “But what unites the majority of Americans — and much of the world — is the clear understanding that Donald Trump is not the leader we need at this moment.”
Fried went on to criticize the Trump administration for acting “lawlessly” and claimed that the president “does not possess the wisdom of a great leader.” She also attacked Mr. Trump for allegedly “politicizing a critical moment in world history” by only involving Republicans in the decision to strike Iran and disregarding Democratic leadership.
“Iran must not have a nuclear weapon, but Donald Trump cannot be trusted to choose what is best for our country,” Fried stated. “I pray for the safety of our troops, and I call on the President to immediately bring this matter before Congress, as our Constitution requires.”
Additionally, U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz stated on X that he is a “firm believer in congressional authority [and] oversight” and that he has always believed that Iran “cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon” because it has been “U.S. policy” with every administration.
“Any offensive action must come to Congress for a vote,” he stated. “I hope this is contained, but we are living in unprecedented times — and it’s critical [that] our leaders work on a bipartisan basis to protect our nation.”
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
