Ahead of the attempted site visit, the Democratic lawmakers said, "As lawmakers, we have both the legal right and moral responsibility to inspect this site."

A group of Florida Democratic state lawmakers was blocked from entering the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention facility in the Everglades Thursday, despite citing legal authority for an official legislative site visit.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a statement following the incident, saying, “Lawmakers on the ground were just blocked from entering a state-funded detention site because of so-called ‘safety concerns.’ This is a taxpayer-funded facility, run by the State of Florida. Our elected officials have every legal right to walk through those gates.”

Fried added, “What are Ron DeSantis and his administration trying to hide? If it’s unsafe for lawmakers to visit, how is it safe for anyone inside?”

  • rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    7 hours ago

    So, bring guns but don’t use them?

    Anything not in the US Constitution is not permitted. Can a Senator hire a bodyguard? Of course. Would it be illegal to order that bodyguard to attack an ICE agent? You bet.

    Congress isn’t supposed to police the Executive, that’s the Court’s job. Well… So now the Legislature has to go do “performative bullshit” to bring these things to light.

    Ice has shown extreme cowardice when power is equal between parties and showing up with an armed force could be effective.

    Better than this performative bullshit.

    That’s you, just a couple hours ago. Sure looks like you want a firefight.