© 2025 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

DeSantis: No Signs Of Violence At Florida Capitol Ahead Of Biden Inauguration

News Service of Florida

With extra law enforcement on standby, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday there remains no indication of potentially violent protesters arriving at the state Capitol to mark President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.

“We have more law enforcement at the state Capitol. I don't think anyone showed up at the state Capitol all week. Maybe someone will come tomorrow. I don't know,” DeSantis told reporters during an appearance in Cape Coral on Tuesday. “So, we've basically heeded some of those warnings. But I can tell you nothing's materialized so far.”

On Friday, DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement, in response to an FBI warning of potential violent protests in state capitals in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.

Contrary to expectations that protesters would gather outside of the Florida Capitol on Sunday and Monday, the scene was relatively quiet.

State and local law enforcement officers could be seen in doorways and on the rooftop of the Capitol building, along with adjacent House and Senate office buildings. A helicopter circled the grounds.

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said Sunday the city would remain on alert in the days leading up to Biden’s inauguration.

“I can tell you that we are prepared and we will continue (to be) for as long as we need to be,” Dailey told reporters Sunday afternoon at a park not far from the Capitol.

Dailey didn’t give details of the law enforcement plans, however.

“You know, we have a rich tradition here in Tallahassee about holding people's right to gather peacefully,” Dailey continued. “But let me be clear, we have zero tolerance for any violence or destruction of any property in Tallahassee.”

Dailey expressed alarm over federal prosecutors’ arrest on Friday of Daniel Baker, a Tallahassee resident who is alleged to have called for others to join him in encircling protesters and “confining them at the Capitol complex” using firearms.

“That just puts us that much more on notice,” the mayor said Sunday. Baker's arrest "brought it home that's in our backyard," Dailey said. "That takes it to another level to make sure that we're prepared to keep everyone safe,” he added.

Copyright 2021 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit .

Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • The School Board for the School District of Lee County has approved a new contract with the Teachers Association of Lee County.In a joint release made Tuesday night, the district and the teachers union said the agreement reflects "our shared commitment to valuing educators, supporting students, and maintaining one of the most competitive compensation packages in the state of Florida."
  • Red tide season typically begins in early fall and can persist for months. While the Southwest and central-southwest remain free of harmful algal blooms, the Red Tide is causing problems in parts of the Panhandle.
  • President Donald Trump caused some confusion earlier Tuesday when he appeared to threaten SNAP benefits unless Democrats voted to reopen the government — despite court orders mandating that the administration keep the nation's largest food program running. Press secretary Karoline Levitt said the administration continues to pay out SNAP funding using contingency funding, which is what two separate judges ordered on Monday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze SNAP payments starting Nov. 1 because of a lapse in funding during the government shutdown. The government says the emergency fund it will use has enough to cover about half the normal benefits.