Category: Florida
‘Do it NATIONWIDE!’ Florida mandates English-only driver’s tests, following Trump’s lead
Florida announced on Friday that all driver’s license tests will be conducted in English. This decision comes after President Trump signed an executive order nearly a year ago declaring English the official language of the United States.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles declared that the state is taking “a leading role in highway safety by requiring all driver license exams be taken in English and without an interpreter.”
‘There is no better way for a state to test for trucker English proficiency than to administer the CDL knowledge and skills tests in, well, English.’
The new policy, which will apply to knowledge and skills exams for all driver’s license classifications, will take effect on February 6.
The FLHSMV explained that the previous policy allowed knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver’s licenses to be offered in multiple languages. Knowledge exams for commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses have been offered in English and Spanish.
“To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide. Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or skills examinations, and any printed exams in languages other than English will be removed for use,” the department stated. “FLHSMV remains committed to ensuring safe roadways for all Floridians and visitors by promoting clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior.”
RELATED: Illegal alien trucker accused of causing crash that killed newlyweds
Photo by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) called the new policy a “good reform,” noting that drivers “need to be able to read the road signs.”
Eric Daugherty of Florida’s Voice declared the move “a massive win.”
“English. Do it NATIONWIDE!” Daugherty wrote. “Florida does it right.”
Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Small Business in Transportation Coalition applauded Florida for implementing the English-only testing policy.
“Like most things in life, we need to start with common sense. There is no better way for a state to test for trucker English proficiency than to administer the CDL knowledge and skills tests in, well, English. In the state of Florida, at least, common sense will now prevail effective February 6th. We hope other states will follow,” SBTC Executive Director James Lamb stated.
This new policy follows an executive order Trump issued last March, declaring English to be the official language of the federal government.
“To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language. Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values and create a more cohesive and efficient society,” the EO said.
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Woke nurse who allegedly vowed to deny treatment to MAGA patients is no longer licensed in Florida
A nurse in Florida who allegedly said he would refuse to administer anesthesia to conservative patients is no longer registered in the state.
Erik Martindale appeared to post on his Facebook account, “I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA. It is my right, it is my ethical oath, and I stand behind my education. I own all of my businesses and I can refuse anyone!”
‘Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty.’
Libs of TikTok shared a screenshot of the comments in a post on X, calling for him to be immediately fired and stripped of his license.
After facing backlash online, Martindale claimed that his Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram accounts had been “hacked.” Libs of TikTok disputed his claim, sharing another screenshot of a post Martindale apparently made on his Threads account.
“I will not perform anesthesia on any surgeries for registered Republicans,” the Threads post read.
“Erik is now claiming his FB and IG were hacked. There’s a slight problem. It was on threads too. Was your threads also hacked Erik?? Lmao,” Libs of TikTok wrote. “Nobody is buying this Erik. We have all the receipts!”
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
As of Friday morning, all of Martindale’s social media accounts appeared to be deactivated.
On Thursday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced, “Effective today, Erik Martindale is no longer a registered nurse in Florida.”
“Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve,” Uthmeier added.
James Uthmeier. Photo by DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
The Florida Department of Health website shows that Martindale’s license was voluntarily relinquished. The department notes that such action “does not constitute discipline.”
The Department of Health did not respond to a request for comment regarding whether Martindale’s license was surrendered or revoked. Blaze News was unable to contact Martindale for a statement.
Last week, Uthmeier announced that Florida had revoked Lexie Lawler’s ability to practice nursing in the state after she posted a video on social media wishing a life-altering birth injury on White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
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Man Gets Rocked To The Moon After Argument Flips Into Violence At Florida Costco
Royal Rumble weekend is coming up, so why not
Florida nurse wishes Karoline Leavitt agonizing, life-altering birth injury — red state delivers swift takedown
A delivery nurse was stripped of her ability to practice in Florida after she posted a video online wishing harm on a pregnant Trump administration official.
A video circulated on social media of Lexie Lawler, a then-nurse for Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, stating that she hopes White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suffers a painful childbirth that leaves her with permanent injuries.
‘Making statements that wish pain and suffering on anyone, when those statements are directly related to one’s practice, is an ethical red line we should not cross.’
“As a labor and delivery nurse, it gives me great joy to wish Karoline Leavitt a fourth-degree tear. I hope that you f**king rip from bow to stern and never s**t normally again, you c**t,” Lawler stated in the video.
Lawler was fired this week from her position with Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
“The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of health care professionals,” a spokesperson for the hospital told the Palm Beach Post. “Following a prompt review, the individual is no longer employed by our health system.”
“While we respect the right to personal opinions, there is no place in health care for language or behavior that calls into question a caregiver’s ability to provide compassionate, unbiased care,” the spokesperson added.
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier reacted to the Lawler video, stating, “Being fired isn’t good enough. Any healthcare worker who fails to uphold his or her obligation to provide adequate, safe healthcare should not be licensed in Florida. No excuses!”
Lawler responded to the public pushback in a separate video posted to social media.
“They murdered a man in Minnesota, and you motherf**kers are coming after me because I used bad language?” Lawler said, referring to the death of Alex Pretti. “F**k you. I’m on the right side of this. F**k you.”
James Uthmeier. Photo by DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Uthmeier announced on Wednesday that Lawler “is no longer allowed to practice nursing in Florida.”
“Making statements that wish pain and suffering on anyone, when those statements are directly related to one’s practice, is an ethical red line we should not cross. I’m proud of @FLSurgeonGen for taking this decisive action,” he wrote.
Lawler’s husband, Tim, created a GoFundMe requesting $14,000 in donations for his wife’s legal fund. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fund had raised over $10,000.
“Lexie Lawler was fired for political speech,” the GoFundMe post reads. “She is a liberal woman who used her personal social media — on her own time — to sharply criticize a public figure tied to a cruel, harmful administration. Her words were blunt, angry, and unapologetic. They were directed at power, not her workplace. That speech was lawful. The retaliation was real.”
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Judicial Watch Urges Justice Department to Investigate Florida County for Woke Quota Scheme for ‘Diversity Advisory Council’
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it submitted a formal request to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for an investigation of Hillsborough County, Florida’s Board of County Commissioners for various racial and other quota appointment practices used to staff its Diversity Advisory Council. In a letter sent to Assistant Attorney […]
The post Judicial Watch Urges Justice Department to Investigate Florida County for Woke Quota Scheme for ‘Diversity Advisory Council’ appeared first on Judicial Watch.
What was to be fun Florida trip ends in ‘cold-blooded’ triple murder: Elderly tourists dead, suspect earlier beat murder rap
A Florida man is accused of going on a killing spree and gunning down three elderly tourists during their vacation near Disney World. The suspect previously beat an attempted murder charge with an insanity defense, according to court records.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said in a recent statement that officers responded to reports of a shooting near a residence in Kissimmee around 12:13 p.m. Jan. 17.
‘It was cold-blooded, it was premeditated … absolutely no issues.’
Police said they “discovered three adult males deceased in front of the home” and that “all three victims suffered from apparent gunshot wounds.”
Deputies quickly located and arrested the suspect — 29-year-old Ahmad Jihad Bojeh.
Bojeh is facing three counts of premeditated murder and one count of resisting arrest without violence, according to Osceola County Jail records. Bojeh is being detained at the Osceola County Jail without bond.
“There is no threat to the community, as the suspect responsible for these horrific and senseless murders has been apprehended by Osceola County deputies,” said Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
Blackmon told the Tampa Bay Times that Bojeh lived next door to the rental property where the tourists were staying.
“It was cold-blooded, it was premeditated … absolutely no issues,” Blackmon told Fox News. “There was no conflict between these people. This was just random. And this happened to be the person who lived next door.”
After securing a warrant, deputies searched Bojeh’s residence and recovered two firearms, police said. Police noted that the firearms were being examined to see if they were used in the fatal shootings.
Sheriff Blackmon described Bojeh as a “frequent flyer” with police and added to Fox News that he is “a threat to the neighborhood all the time,” citing repeated calls for service involving the suspect.
Blackmon said the motive for the shooting is unclear; the investigation into the killings remains ongoing.
Fox News reported that the three friends — 68-year-old Douglas Kraft of Columbus, Ohio, 70-year-old Robert Kraft of Holland, Michigan, and 68-year-old James Puchan of Galena, Ohio — attended a car show together. Two of the slain tourists were brothers.
Families and friends of the slain victims released a joint statement to WKMG-TV: “With heavy hearts, we confirm the deaths of our beloved husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and friends.”
The statement added that the tourists visited the Mecum Car Show in Kissimmee and were staying at a local Airbnb rental property.
“While waiting for assistance after rental car trouble and preparing to travel home, they were being observed from a distance by an unknown individual who was well-known to local law enforcement,” the statement read.
The tourists were “approached and senselessly murdered” in a “random, tragic act,” the families stated.
“Our families are left with an unexpected, unimaginable loss that cannot be put into words,” the statement said.
“We ask for privacy, prayers, and respect as we mourn and begin to process this tragedy,” the families concluded.
Previously, Bojeh reportedly was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder but was released back on the streets on the grounds of insanity.
WOFL-TV reported that deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bojeh in 2021 for attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and two counts of criminal mischief in connection with an alleged shooting at a Wawa convenience store and gas station.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote on the X social media platform, “Prior to State Atty [Monique H.] Worrell’s suspension, Ahmad Jihad Bojeh was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery.”
Uthmeier continued, “It appears she didn’t put up a fight to Bojeh’s use of the insanity defense, and he was allowed to go free.” The attorney general added, “This guy, literally named Ahmad ‘Jihad’ Bojeh, shoots three tourists after being acquitted of multiple violent crimes on grounds of insanity.”
Uthmeier also declared, “This is why I’ve proposed Florida’s legislature narrow the insanity defense. Violent criminals should not be set free to hurt others!”
He also told WOFL, “If there’s a risk of them harming others, we need to ensure they’re locked up.”
Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that Bojeh was banned from owning firearms as part of his insanity plea.
WOFL reported that Bojeh was arrested in 2019 for retail theft.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Blaze News‘ request for comment.
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Punk with attitude on overdrive caught on cop body cam allegedly trying to steal car — but not even a taser can slow his roll
Bodycam video from Daytona Beach Police showed an officer driving to an auto dealership on Jan. 14 and noting a suspect there was “actually trying to get into a car that’s occupied.”
Not surprisingly, the officer said he didn’t want the suspect to “carjack somebody.”
‘Get me out of these cuffs, or you lose your job tomorrow. Do it.’
With that, the officer exited his cruiser and removed keys from a truck’s ignition just before a male — later identified as 18-year-old Jayden Brown — ran from behind the truck to the driver-side door.
The officer ordered him to “get on the ground” — but the male twice replied, “Oh, yeah?”
It seemed like a taunt.
Well, the officer wasn’t having it and deployed his taser, and the most Brown could muster was an agonized moan as his body stiffened like a board at an angle against the open car door:
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
In the ensuing moments, Brown seemed relatively under control, and officers put handcuffs on him.
But then his attitude returned with a vengeance.
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
“I’ll be out by tomorrow,” he told cops surrounding him. “It’s all good.”
An officer asked him his age.
“I could be 20,” Brown replied. “I could be 21. How do you know?”
Cops decided to run the vehicle’s tags, but the skin-and-bones thug remained full of attitude.
“Whatever. Do it. It’s not mine,” Brown declared to the officers. “It’s stolen, so now what? And there’s no VIN, so now what? You can’t trace it back to nobody, now what? I get thousands of guns from who I know in the military … now what? Everybody in my family my whole life has all been federal agent workers; that’s why we all have so much money to do everything we do, wow! I didn’t steal anything yet. I was just trying to find out where my car was.”
Soon he started yelling out a plea apparently for someone to record the encounter on Instagram live.
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
Then he demanded that officers remove the handcuffs.
“Get me out of these cuffs, or you lose your job tomorrow,” Brown said. “Do it.”
The cops, undaunted, read him his rights — and the boasting continued.
“By day I’m trading millions and trillions of dollars a day,” Brown told the officers.
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
Police played along: “Good for you, man.”
“In 18 years, I made your income times 20 billion, so do something about it,” Brown continued.
Soon officers put Brown inside a police vehicle — and his attitude still didn’t let up.
“You’re the one who put me in this van — and guess who’s getting out tomorrow while you’re still working at your job?”
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department video screenshot
Below is the police department’s video of the encounter with Brown:
In the end, police said Brown was charged with three counts of grand theft auto, burglary of an occupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.
Image source: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police Department
If you’re hoping that Brown got an attitude adjustment as the result of his arrest, you might be disappointed.
At Brown’s first appearance in court the following day — Jan. 15 — a judge indeed found probable cause for charges of burglary of an occupied structure, criminal mischief of less than $200, and three counts of attempted grand theft of a motor vehicle, WKMG-TV reported, citing records, adding that he was released on recognizance.
Remember one of Brown’s over-the-top boasts to officers on the day of his arrest?
“I’ll be out by tomorrow,” he said. “It’s all good.”
Brown even added while in the police vehicle, “You’re the one who put me in this van — and guess who’s getting out tomorrow while you’re still working at your job?”
An official at the Volusia County Correctional Facility confirmed to Blaze News that Brown was set free Jan. 15 — the day after his arrest.
He’s due back in court in February for arraignment, WKMG added.
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‘Enough is enough’: Fed-up Florida sheriff has tough words for anti-ICE leftists who stormed Minnesota church
Grady Judd, the outspoken sheriff of Florida’s Polk County, most definitely is not shy about making his opinions known, whether they’re about crime in his own back yard or even crime of concern around the country.
Indeed, after leftists protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement stormed a church Sunday in St. Paul, Minnesota, Judd — like many Americans — was outraged and made sure to let residents of his Florida county know exactly where he stands.
‘Freedom of religion. It is our right in this United States of America.’
The following is what Judd had to say:
I’m standing in a house of worship. And I think about last weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota, where people who came to worship were attacked — they were attacked by rioters. The service was disrupted. They cut at the very fabric of this great United States of America. We settled this country so many years ago so we could worship free, the way we wanted to, in whatever house of worship we chose. That attack is unacceptable.
Then he added what many in Polk County wanted to hear: “I can assure you that had that attack been in this community, every one of those rioters would be in jail today. That’s where the federal government could have found them — on state charges, locked up.”
Judd concluded: “And I pray it’s that same way all across the United States of America. Enough is enough. Let’s join together for the good of the United States of America, let’s worship the way we want to, and let’s everyone renounce the horribleness of last Sunday in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
RELATED: Why ‘anti-ICE protesters’ are useful, delusional idiots
The video showing Judd’s words received over 3 million views and elicited more than 20,000 comments since it was posted Tuesday; the following are some of the more popular reactions:
- “Grady Judd for sheriff of the world!” one commenter wrote.
- “I love Sheriff Grady Judd,” another user said. “We need more people like him in law enforcement all over this great country.”
- “Freedom of religion,” another commenter noted. “It is our right in this United States of America.”
- “Great commentary,” another user offered. “What’s troubling is that a segment of the American public is attempting to argue that the individuals who disrupted the church were merely ‘exercising their First Amendment rights.’ That claim collapses under even minimal scrutiny. Once they trespassed onto church property, any First Amendment protection ceased to apply. More importantly, their actions directly violated the First Amendment religious rights of the church and its members. If there were ever a clear-cut case for the DOJ to set a strong precedent by pursuing felony charges, this would be it. Serious consequences are warranted for conduct this egregious.”
As it happens, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen were arrested Thursday in connection with the church-storming incident. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced later Thursday that William Kelly also was arrested.
However, former CNN talking head Don Lemon reportedly is escaping charges. Lemon claimed to have been acting as a journalist when he joined the group that stormed the church whose pastor reportedly leads an ICE office.
But CBS News sources said a Minnesota federal magistrate judge refused to sign a complaint against Lemon. “The attorney general is enraged at the magistrate’s decision,” according to a CBS News source said to be familiar with the matter.
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Trump attends college football national championship
President Trump on Monday attended the College Football Playoff National Championship in Florida taking place on the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday. Trump, who has been at Mar-a-Lago over the long weekend, was in attendance to watch the Indiana Hoosiers battle the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., alongside family…
