Governor DeSantis addresses SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling, unveils presidential statue

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Florida Capital Bureau) - One of the U.S’s most notable presidents was honored in the Florida Villages.

Governor DeSantis unveiled a statue of President Abraham Lincoln to celebrate America’s 250 Anniversary on Tuesday.

When recounting the life of President Lincoln, DeSantis talked about his commitment to democracy.

He mentioned the legal stance that Lincoln held on landmark cases such as Dred Scott V. Stanford which contributed to the nation’s conversation on human rights.

Furthermore, he connected this thread from this federal decision to the later implementation of the 14th Amendment.

Florida Politics:

DeSantis said that the freedoms allowed to enslaved people from the 14th Amendment should not be abused to justify the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship.

“They wanted to say you’re a citizen regardless of race and we’re going to correct that injustice, that was the purpose of it. It was not to have people show up from China for two weeks, have babies, and then go back to China. I mean how ridiculous has this become” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also commended Lincoln’s ability to become a practicing lawyer without attending law school and said Floridians today should be allowed the same opportunity.

“I think we should allow that in Florida you should be able to read for the bar, take it, and not have to pay for law school,” DeSantis said. “I think the Bar hates that because they want it to be a guild, but I think Lincoln, his example is instructive. He was largely self taught which is really remarkable.”

DeSantis said he will continue to replace historical statues in the state, and he’s rotated the displays at the state capitol building.