Florida residents are bracing for the impending impact of Hurricane Milton, a storm that officials warn could bring significant danger. The situation has escalated tensions between state officials and federal representatives, particularly after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined a call from Vice President Kamala Harris.
This refusal has drawn sharp criticism from Cedric Richmond, Harris’s campaign co-chair and a former congressman from Louisiana. In an impassioned interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta, Richmond expressed his outrage over DeSantis’s decision, framing it as irresponsible amidst the approaching storm.
“I went through Hurricane Katrina and Rita and I saw thousands of people die,” he remarked. “These hurricanes are serious, and that is an idiotic statement.” His comments come as Florida is still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which recently made landfall.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by Tampa’s mayor, who urged residents to evacuate the city, warning them, “If you stay here, you’re gonna die.” The threat posed by Hurricane Milton is severe, and local leaders are desperate to ensure the safety of their communities.
Despite the looming disaster, DeSantis found time for a media appearance on Fox & Friends, during which he criticized Harris for reaching out to his office. “She’s never shown any interest in the past,” he said during a press conference. “I have zero time to entertain these political games.”
His dismissal of Harris’s outreach has angered Richmond, who emphasized the importance of collaboration during crises. “When the vice president or the president calls you to see what you need on the ground, to see what you need before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm,” Richmond stated, “it could cost lives to not answer that call.”
Richmond accused DeSantis of engaging in the very political games he criticized, pointing to former President Donald Trump’s dominance over DeSantis as evidence of his unpreparedness for leadership. “It’s why Ron DeSantis didn’t make it to the big boy stage,” he asserted. “It’s why Donald Trump emasculated him at every step because he’s not ready for primetime.”
He called on DeSantis to prioritize the safety of Floridians over political considerations, warning that failure to do so could have dire consequences. “I think the day after the storm hits, we’re going to be back revisiting this conversation,” he cautioned. “People are going to die because he is selfish and playing political games. I am terrified for the people of Florida.”