Staying the Course: DeSantis and Abbott Refuse to Back Down

Govs Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott have been under a lot of scrutiny for their stance on COVID-19. The criticism made it all the way to the White House as Press Secretary Jen Psaki took a shot at DeSantis on Monday. But it did not take long for DeSantis to fire back.

Ron DeSantis was accused of playing politics by Psaki, to which DeSantis’ office quickly responded saying that the White House is playing politics with American’s freedom. Chris Cuomo said that DeSantis was holding people in Florida hostage.

DeSantis has made it clear that there will not be a mask mandate in Florida and that Americans have the freedom to choose regarding vaccines and masks. He said he supports vaccines, but that he does not support mandating them or forcing Americans to take them.

Greg Abbott has had similar criticism for his recent measures to protect freedom in Texas. Abbott signed an order that banned mask mandates and forced vaccinations in his state.

Mainstream media outlets immediately became critical of the move. They said that Abbott simply did not care about those with COVID, that he was causing harm to his state, and that he was responsible for the deaths of those who contract COVID. But Abbott also did not speak out against vaccines.

In fact, both Abbott and DeSantis received their COVID vaccine. So there really is no argument that the two are anti-vaccine. It’s clear, they are pro-freedom.

Which both Floridians and Texans should be thankful for. Many governors across the country have willingly given in to the radical left’s agenda to force vaccines, vaccine proof for surviving, and mask mandates that seemingly will never end.

Both of these governors have banned COVID vaccine passports. They believe in the freedom of choice for Americans, which includes the use of face masks and taking a vaccine.

They are not the only governors to take these steps either. Other Republican governors have taken similar steps, such as South Carolina’s Henry McMaster, Alabama’s Kay Ivey, Idaho’s Brad Little, South Dakota’s Kristi Noem, along with many others. But those are not receiving the attacks like Abbott and DeSantis.

I wonder why that would be?

It has a lot to do with the very thing that Psaki accused DeSantis of. The mainstream media and the Democrats are playing politics with the pandemic.

They are attacking those that have a national profile and could be seen as potential leaders going into the 2024 presidential race. They want to attack anyone that may be a strong Republican to try to tear them down.

If Krisi Noem or Henry McMaster were being considered for president, you would be hearing all about COVID cases in South Dakota and South Carolina. We would be hearing about how they need to establish mask mandates and how their actions are leading people toward death from COVID.

So who is really playing politics? Is it these state leaders who are standing for American freedom and allowing their citizens the ability to choose? Or is it the career politicians that are back in charge in Washington that believe government always knows best?

Amid the criticism, these governors are committed to staying the course. They are committed to American freedom and an American’s right to choose. While the radical left chooses to criticize and attack freedom, they choose to protect it and lead the way. That’s what this country needs right now.