BREAKING CONTROVERSY: DeSantis Under Fire After Saying Florida Residents Can Drive Over Protesters in Self-Defense

A political firestorm has erupted in Florida and across the country following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s controversial comments suggesting that residents may legally drive over protesters blocking roads if they believe their lives are in danger. The backlash has been swift and intense, with Democratic lawmakers and civil rights organizations calling for his resignation and labeling the remarks as dangerous incitement.

The Controversial Statement

During an appearance on The Dave Rubin Report on June 11, 2025, Governor DeSantis addressed a question about civil unrest and public safety. In his response, he invoked Florida’s 2021 HB1 “anti-riot” law and made a startling assertion:

“If someone surrounds your vehicle and you believe your life is at risk, you can get out — even if someone gets hurt,” DeSantis stated.

The governor framed his remarks as a defense of self-preservation in hostile situations, but critics quickly accused him of grossly misrepresenting the law and encouraging vigilantism under the guise of public safety.

Florida’s HB1: What the Law Actually Says

The law referenced by DeSantis, House Bill 1 (HB1), was signed into law in April 2021 as part of the governor’s effort to crack down on violent protests following nationwide demonstrations in 2020. While the law does grant civil immunity to drivers under certain conditions, its application is far more limited than DeSantis’s statement suggests.

Key provisions of the law include:

Civil immunity is granted to drivers who injure or kill someone while fleeing a situation that is legally classified as a “riot.”

Criminal liability remains in place. Drivers can still be prosecuted for manslaughter, assault, or reckless endangerment.

The belief of danger must be “reasonable.” The burden is on the court to assess whether the threat was real and imminent.

Legal analysts stress that civil immunity is not a license to run over protesters. Rather, it protects individuals only when they act out of legitimate fear for their safety and have no reasonable means of escape.

Democratic Backlash and Calls for Removal

Democrats at both the state and national level quickly condemned DeSantis’s remarks. Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) called the comments “an outright call to violence,” and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) said the governor was “encouraging vehicular manslaughter as public policy.”

A group of Democratic legislators in Florida have since filed a formal request for an ethics investigation and are circulating a petition demanding DeSantis’s resignation.

“What Governor DeSantis is promoting is not law and order — it’s reckless lawlessness,” said State Senator Shevrin Jones. “He is actively endangering the lives of Floridians exercising their constitutional right to protest.”

Civil rights organizations including the ACLU, NAACP, and Southern Poverty Law Center have all issued statements condemning the governor’s interpretation of the law. Many activists fear that DeSantis’s comments could embolden individuals to drive through peaceful demonstrations, citing self-defense as justification.

“This is legalized vehicular violence wrapped in political rhetoric,” said Janai Nelson, President of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. “We’ve already seen cases where drivers used vehicles as weapons against protesters. Encouraging this behavior is beyond irresponsible.”

The Chilling Effect on Protest

The heart of the controversy lies at the intersection of public safety and the constitutional right to protest. Many see DeSantis’s comments as a dangerous attempt to suppress dissent.

Florida has seen numerous protests in recent years — from Black Lives Matter demonstrations to climate marches and pro-choice rallies. In many cases, protesters have taken to public roads as a form of civil disobedience, a tactic long recognized and protected under First Amendment jurisprudence.

“The message this sends is chilling,” said Micah Ellison, a protest organizer in Orlando. “If people believe they’ll be run over with impunity, they’ll stay silent — and that’s the point.”

Human rights watchdogs have warned that similar laws and attitudes are taking root in other states, potentially creating a nationwide environment hostile to public assembly and dissent.

A Political Strategy?

Some political analysts argue that DeSantis’s comments are calculated rather than careless. With an eye on the 2026 gubernatorial and potential presidential campaigns, the governor may be trying to galvanize his conservative base by reinforcing a law-and-order narrative.

“He’s clearly aiming to portray himself as tough on protests and soft on ‘woke chaos,’” said Professor Alex Morales, a political scientist at Florida State University. “But in doing so, he’s crossing a line into outright incitement — and the blowback may outweigh the benefits.”

The remarks also come at a time when DeSantis’s approval ratings have plateaued, and some of his allies are reportedly urging him to reenergize his public image. For critics, however, the strategy smacks of desperation and danger.

Previous Incidents Set a Precedent

This isn’t the first time the question of drivers and protesters has led to tragedy. In 2017, a white nationalist drove his car into a crowd in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens. Similar incidents have occurred in cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, where motorists have claimed self-defense while plowing into protesters.

While HB1 was ostensibly passed to prevent mob violence, critics say laws like it create ambiguity that could be exploited by bad actors.

“The moment you start making it legally fuzzy to hurt people with your car, you’re inviting disaster,” said attorney and civil rights litigator Jasmine Harris. “And when public officials endorse it? That’s a crisis.”

Governor’s Office Responds

Amid mounting pressure, Governor DeSantis’s office released a brief statement:

“Governor DeSantis stands by the right of all Floridians to defend themselves if threatened. He does not condone violence against peaceful protestors, but believes strongly in protecting people trapped in dangerous situations created by unlawful blockades.”

The response has done little to quell the outrage.

Constitutional Questions Ahead

The coming weeks may prove pivotal, as legal scholars debate whether DeSantis’s comments cross into unconstitutional territory. Some argue that the remarks constitute a violation of federal civil rights protections. Others believe the governor may have opened himself up to liability if individuals act on his interpretation and cause harm.

There is also discussion of possible legislation to clarify or repeal HB1, though such efforts face an uphill battle in Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature.

Conclusion: A Flashpoint Moment

Governor DeSantis’s statement has turned an already contentious law into a national controversy. While his defenders see it as a bold stand for self-defense, critics argue it promotes a dangerous, anti-democratic view of civil protest. What’s clear is that this incident has reignited debate over where the line lies between public safety and the right to dissent.

As calls for accountability intensify and the legal ramifications unfold, Florida may find itself at the center of one of the most consequential First Amendment battles of the decade.