Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) announced Monday that she will request state offices under her direction to ignore Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) order to lower flags to half-staff in honor of the late radio talk host icon, Rush Limbaugh.
“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America is a sacred honor that pays respect to fallen heroes and patriots. It is not a partisan political tool,” Fried said in a statement obtained by WFLA. “Therefore, I will notify all state offices under my direction to disregard the Governor’s forthcoming order to lower flags for Mr. Limbaugh – because we will not celebrate hate speech, bigotry, and division. Lowering the flag should always reflect unity, not division, and raising our standards, not lowering them. Our flags will remain flying high to celebrate the American values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.”
On Friday, DeSantis said
