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November 28, 2024 - 5:15pm
Donald Trump is bringing a Florida crew back to Washington with him. Arguably the two most important jobs in his administration will be held by women with strong links to the Sunshine State. Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, his nominee for attorney general, both lobbied extensively at the same Florida firm in recent years.
Trump’s likely-to-be-confirmed secretary of state is Marco Rubio, a senator from Florida since 2011. Michael Waltz, a Congressman from the state’s eastern coast, will serve as national security advisor. That’s already four key positions occupied by people with deep ties to Florida, before you add lower-profile nominees such as John Phelan for secretary of the Navy and Dave Weldon for the Centers for Disease Control (technically based in Atlanta).
Wiles and Bondi both worked at Ballard Partners, the lobbying shop of “prominent Florida Republican fund-raiser Brian Ballard”, as the New York Times put it. “Susie brings with her a Florida approach, without question,” Ballard told NBC News. “She is a national player, but clearly has major Florida roots and connections. The many people from Florida you see going to the administration are in no small part because of her.” Wiles helped Ballard open a DC office and establish a lobbying presence in the Beltway. Mercury, a lobbying giant, later named Wiles the co-chair of offices in DC and Tallahassee.
If all of this sounds a little swampy, it’s because Florida’s political ecosystem is as swampy as its literal one. Trump, having transformed the state from purple to red, now spends most of his time at Mar-a-Lago. During the pandemic, as MAGA-inclined people moved to Florida for conservative politics, the state became a refuge for the likeminded.
This may, to some extent, force people around Trump to confront a tough choice: is it worth leaving Florida for Washington to get in on the presidential action? This is an easier decision for the high-profile jobs, but for mid-level staffers it may be more difficult. The state is also home to a robust group of MAGA influencers and podcasters, some of whom are itching to actually get seats in the White House briefing room. If you already have access to Trump, why relocate to a stuffy company town and rub elbows with ink-stained wretches?
Whether they actually move, Trump’s well-connected Florida friends are sure to be spending more time in the capital. This is hardly without precedent: George W. Bush brought Texas to DC, while Barack Obama brought Chicago. The very recent history of Florida, though, incubated a particular vibe. The state became a high-energy safe space for MAGA Republicans in and outside politics to fraternise and enjoy the company of others without fear of social cancellation or Covid mask mandates. That means operatives and influencers will come to Washington fresh off several years of plotting and scheming and partying in the same circles.
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SubscribeWhew. Just imagine if a bunch of California Dems packed up and moved to Washington. Dodged a bullet there. Florida is one of the most sucessful states in the U.S. Bring it on.
Wins my vote for best phrase on Unherd in 2024.
There is a great podcast called ink stained wretches.
Thanks Jim, wasn’t aware of that, will check it out.
They critique other media and what’s happening in the world of media. If that’s your thing, it’s the best show out there. If you’re not a mediaphile, it’s probably not worth it.
Wins my vote for dumbest comment of the day on Unherd!
Well done, our kid! You surprised even me by the depth of your ignorance!
This is the model that the next Tory/Reform government should follow. Take a group of highly focused political operatives and install them by the THOUSANDS into civil service departments. Use a huge influx of politically loyal Officers to force change within the deep state blob. Do the same on quangos, the BBC, control boards of Universities, arts councils, museums, charities etc. Without this level of operational control the ‘cathedral’ always maintains and holds control. Trump and his highly energised political appointments will force change in the USA. If the Musk / Ramaswamy dream team can truly get hold of the new DOGE function in America it could point the way for a new model across the western world.
Let’s hope so!
International readers may not realize this, but Florida has no state income tax and this accounts for some of its in-migration particularly by high income, conservative residents from blue states
Not only no State income tax but no State Death duties and the sales tax (similar to VAT) only charged at 6% and Corporation Tax about 6% too. No wonder the State has attracted a steady influx of those fleeing from more heavily taxed States.
Re: Abortion and marijuana. Florida ballot measures require 60 percent support to pass, so the proposed amendments failed.
Floridians had far more pressing concerns than abortion or marijuana in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. The state was battered by three major hurricanes: Debbie (Category 3), Helene (Category 4), and Milton (Category 4), leaving residents focused on cleanup and recovery.
Florida already has over a million medical marijuana patients(enthusiasts), a number that continues to grow daily. The dispensary prices are reasonable, the quality is excellent, and obtaining a medical marijuana card is straightforward. So, why push for an amendment? Just get a card, stay legal, take your medicine and relax.
As for abortion, it remains accessible in Florida, though within certain limits and with exceptions for medical emergencies. It’s not perfect, but it’s available—progress, albeit ongoing.