Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Democrats: DeSantis’ order to lower flags in honor of Limbaugh ‘an embarrassment’
Flags will be flown at half staff in Florida to mark the death of polarizing conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday.
Democratic leaders swiftly lashed out at the decision, saying DeSantis has politicized an honor usually reserved for the death of prominent government officials, police officers or firefighters who die in the line of duty, members of the armed forces or tragic events such the mass shootings at Stoneman Marjory Douglas High School in Parkland and Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
But special requests for specific events or people that don’t fall under those categories can be made to the governor’s office. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Florida lawmaker representing Lake County, had asked the governor to lower the flags in honor of Limbaugh, calling him a “relentless champion of America and of civic engagement.”
DeSantis, who made the announce
ment before starting a press conference in West Palm Beach about election reform, said he is making the order because of the “magnitude” of the death of Limbaugh.
Sen. Gary Farmer, Democratic leader of the Florida Senate, criticized the move, calling on DeSantis to rescind his decision to honor someone who “helped drive hatred and inflamed the prejudices” against marginalized groups in America.
“Lowering the flag of the United States is a high honor reserved for those who have honorably and bravely served our state and our nation,” Farmer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Governor DeSantis has now transformed this distinction into a partisan political tool to salute a man who served no other interests than his own and did his best to deeply divide a country along political fault lines.”
Other Democratic leaders also criticized the order, including Nikki Fried, the state’s secretary of agriculture, who questioned the governor’s priorities.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz called the move an “embarrassment” to Florida. “Rush Limbaugh weaponized his platform to spread racism, xenophobia and homophobia across the nation,” Wasserman-Schultz wrote on Twitter. “His constant hateful rhetoric caused untold damage to our political landscape.”
A political commentator, Limbaugh dominated radio for years as one of the most powerful and polarizing voices for American conservatives and broadcast his talk show from his home in Palm Beach for years. He died Wednesday at the age of 70 from complications due to lung cancer, his wife announced during his show that morning.
“We had one of our own, Rush Limbaugh, pass away a few days ago. What we do for something of this magnitude, when they announce the dates of internment for Rush, we are going to be lowering the flags to half staff,” DeSantis said to applause from the crowd. Bo Snerdley, producer and longtime friend of Limbaugh’s, joined DeSantis for the announcement.
The timing for the lowering of the flags depends on funeral arrangements being made by Limbaugh’s family.
At news of Limbaugh’s passing, DeSantis released a statement praising Limbaugh for being a “warm person” and a good friend.
“Casey and I are truly saddened to learn of the passing of fellow Floridian and our friend Rush Limbaugh,” DeSantis said in a statement after Limbaugh’s death. “Rush is the GOAT-of radio, of conservative media and of inspiring a loyal army of American patriots.”
Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Florida lawmaker representing Lake County, previously asked the governor to lower the flags in honor of Limbaugh, calling him a “relentless champion of America and of civic engagement.”
The state of Florida lowers the flags to half staff on major remembrance holidays through the year:
Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15th (sunrise until sunset)
Memorial Day, last Monday in May (sunrise until NOON)
Patriot Day, September 11 (sunrise until sunset)
Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (sunrise until sunset)
National Firefighters Memorial Day (sunrise until sunset)
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7 (sunrise to sunset)