Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has refused to take a call with Vice President Kamala Harris about Hurricane Milton, a source close to the governor told ABC News.
The DeSantis team believes the call from the vice president is politically motivated, according to the source, and is thus refusing to take the call.
DeSantis staffers also said the governor has not spoken to President Joe Biden in at least the last few days in the wake of Hurricane Helene and as the massive Hurricane Milton takes aim at Florida.
“If you have the president and you have the vice president reaching out to offer up assistance provided to your constituents, the people who live in your state, to make sure we are doing everything that we need to do from federal response — and we’re reaching out, offering our support, that’s where … it is up to [DeSantis] if he wants to respond to us or not,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday afternoon.
Despite the lack of communication between them, Jean-Pierre said the administration is still working with state and local officials to make sure that teams are pre-positioned ahead of Milton’s landfall.
The governor did speak with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell on Sunday, and federal officials are continuing to work with state emergency managers to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s landfall.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about Hurricane Helene during a press briefing at the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Fla., Sept. 26, 2024.
Phil Sears/Reuters
DeSantis’ refusal to take Harris’ call was first reported by NBC News.
Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday, and Florida officials are urging residents to evacuate while they still can.
“Time is going to start running out very, very soon,” DeSantis said at a news conference Monday morning.
More than 50 counties along Florida’s west coast are now under state of emergency orders and several are under evacuation orders, including Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota. All evacuation orders are listed on Florida’s Division of Emergency Management website.
The storm is is expected to weaken, but will still be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Salvage workers remove debris from Hurricane Helene flooding along the Gulf of Mexico before Milton arrives, Clearwater Beach, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024.
Chris O’Meara/AP
Ahead of landfall, Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state to allow federal assistance to begin supplementing local efforts.
Flooding is expected, and storm surge is a significant threat.
A record-breaking storm surge of 8 to 12 feet is expected in the Tampa Bay area, as Floridians continue cleaning up from the 6 to 8 feet of storm surge that was just brought on by Hurricane Helene.
ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made headlines recently when he declined a phone call from Vice President Kamala Harris before Hurricane Milton made landfall in the state. The decision sparked speculation and controversy, with many questioning the governor’s motives and the potential implications of his actions.
The phone call was reportedly an attempt by Vice President Harris to offer assistance and support to Florida as the state braced for the impact of Hurricane Milton. However, Gov. DeSantis chose not to take the call, citing a busy schedule and the need to focus on emergency preparations.
Some critics have accused Gov. DeSantis of playing politics and snubbing the Biden administration by refusing to speak with Vice President Harris. They argue that in times of crisis, it is important for leaders to set aside political differences and work together for the greater good of the people.
On the other hand, supporters of Gov. DeSantis defend his decision, stating that he was simply prioritizing the needs of his state and focusing on the task at hand. They argue that the governor has a responsibility to ensure that Florida is adequately prepared for natural disasters and that his actions were in the best interest of the state’s residents.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is clear that Gov. DeSantis’ decision to decline the phone call from Vice President Harris has sparked a debate about leadership, cooperation, and communication in times of crisis. As Hurricane Milton continues to wreak havoc in Florida, it is crucial for all levels of government to work together and prioritize the safety and well-being of those affected by the storm.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, it will be important for Gov. DeSantis and Vice President Harris to set aside any differences and come together to support the recovery efforts in Florida. The people of the state are counting on their leaders to put politics aside and work together to ensure that they receive the assistance and resources they need to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by the storm.
