DeSantis Gives Drivers the Green Light to Hit Rioters if They Surround Your Car [WATCH]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reaffirmed the state’s strong self-defense laws and zero-tolerance policy toward riots during an interview on The Rubin Report Wednesday, warning that Florida residents have the right to protect themselves if confronted by violent protesters.

DeSantis’s comments came as protests continued to spread across major U.S. cities in response to President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations.

The demonstrations, many of which have turned into riots, have erupted in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Seattle, Omaha, Austin, Dallas, and Raleigh, according to The New York Times.

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In his remarks, DeSantis emphasized that Floridians are not obligated to remain passive if they are targeted by mobs blocking streets or engaging in violent activity.

“If you’re driving on one of those streets, and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety, and so if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you,” DeSantis said during the interview.

“You don’t have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets,” he continued.

“You have a right to defend yourself in Florida.”

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DeSantis also highlighted Florida’s proactive approach to preventing riots, noting that law enforcement across the state typically intervenes before demonstrations escalate into violence.

“We have an absolutely zero tolerance policy for that,” he said.

“You have no right to commandeer streets — first of all, it’s just wrong. Second of all, that has huge impacts on people’s quality of life.”

As protests continue to gain momentum across the country, some officials have expressed concern about the priorities of local leadership.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has drawn scrutiny after appearing to suggest that unrest would continue unless President Trump halts immigration enforcement.

.@MayorOfLA says the “real solution” to the violent riots in her city is to “STOP THE RAIDS” in which dangerous criminal illegals are taken into custody.

No. The solution is for California leaders to DO THEIR JOB.

The Trump Administration will never “stop” making America safer. pic.twitter.com/ThmHtadBIR

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 10, 2025

“Mayor Karen Bass is saying that if President Trump continues to enforce the immigration laws, her voters will continue to riot,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement provided to Fox News on Wednesday.

McLaughlin also called attention to the types of individuals being shielded by protesters.

“Murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect,” she stated.

“How much longer will Gov. Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass continue to prioritize these criminal illegal aliens over their own citizens?”

DHS: Why do Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and pedophiles than they do about protecting their own citizens?

ICE officers are removing the worst of the worst from LA’s streets, while LA’s leaders are working tirelessly against them. pic.twitter.com/Zv99BRs2ae

— AɯƙɯαɾԃMαɱα™® (@AwkwardMamaNews) June 7, 2025

The national demonstrations were sparked by recent enforcement operations led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, resulting in widespread detentions of individuals residing in the United States illegally.

Federal officials say the operations are focused on those with outstanding deportation orders and individuals convicted of violent crimes.

In contrast to cities where protests have escalated, DeSantis made clear that Florida would not tolerate similar disruptions.

“You may have somebody who has a medical issue, and what, you’re going to clog all the roads?” DeSantis said.

🔥 Gov. Ron DeSantis Says Florida Has Zero-Tolerance for Riots

“If you’re driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety. If you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault”… pic.twitter.com/kjII12Ixqr

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) June 12, 2025

Florida law allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, in self-defense if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger.

The Governor’s statements echoed the state’s longstanding position that residents should not be forced to choose between personal safety and political mob activity.

As protests are expected to continue into the weekend, officials in Florida have not reported any large-scale incidents comparable to those in cities like Los Angeles or New York.

Law enforcement in the state remains on high alert.

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