Everything we know about Ron DeSantis’ policies as he launches his 2024 campaign

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to announce his official bid for President of the United States, Americans are getting a taste of what the future might look like under Mr. DeSantis.

For months, DeSantis, 44, has been called a possible frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the media because of his reputation for passing conservative legislation and comfortably seeking re-election to the governor’s mansion.

From passing a six-week abortion ban to eliminating concealed carry permits, DeSantis has proven he is willing to pass controversial legislation in the name of unifying the state under right-wing values.

And it seems the governor of Florida is hoping to do the same if he becomes US President.

Here’s what Mr. DeSantis said about the future of America and what he thinks about some policies.

on abortion

Mr. DeSantis is anti-abortion, Belief “The right to life is the most basic of our God-given rights.”

In April, Mr. DeSantis quietly signed senate bill 300Known as the “Heartbeat Protection Act”, which prohibited abortion after six weeks of pregnancy unless it was to save a woman’s life, a fatal fetal abnormality, or in the event of rape or incest. The woman can provide documents such as a police report.

The six-week ban will go into effect only 30 days after the Florida Supreme Court rules on challenges to the state’s current 15-week ban. House Bill 5 Which Mr. DeSantis signed last year and became law.

Should SB 300 go into effect, it would make Florida one of the most restrictive states for women to access reproductive health care like abortion.

on the Supreme Court

In a speech at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in May, DeSantis advocated for the Supreme Court to become more conservative by replacing liberal or left-leaning justices with conservative jurists.

Citing Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito as the “gold standard for jurisprudence”, Mr DeSantis said in future the court should “reinforce” itself with two like-minded justices.

“It is possible that in those eight years we will have an opportunity to strengthen Justices Alito and Thomas, as well as really reform those others,” Mr. DeSantis said.

“If you were able to do that you would have a 7-2 conservative majority on the Supreme Court that would last a quarter of a century, so that’s a big deal.”

on gun control

Mr. DeSantis is against gun control got an A plusHighest rating, from the National Rifle Association (NRA)

The NRA said, “Ron DeSantis strongly opposes the ban on guns, magazines and ammunition.”

In April, Mr. DeSantis signed House Bill 543 In legislation, eliminating the need for a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

on LGBT+ rights

The Human Rights Campaign, one of the state’s largest LGBT+ rights advocacy groups, and Equality Florida issued a travel warning For people in the LGBTQ+ community in May.

“While not a broad recommendation against travel nor a call for a boycott, the travel advisory underscores the devastating effects of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety policies incite racial prejudice and attack the public. education in order to ban books and censor the curriculum so that prospective travelers or residents can make the best decision for themselves and their families,” the press release said.

One of Mr. DeSantis’ most controversial pieces of legislation, House Bill 1557Including restricting LGBT+ rights in education.

The law, called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, prohibits classroom education or instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation.

Mr. DeSantis has also signed Legislation that prevents transgender people from using public facilities that align with their gender identity and One which prohibits children from participating in “adult live performances” such as drag shows.

on covid restrictions

The Florida governor first made headlines during the pandemic when he emerged as a leader who strongly opposed COVID-19 protocols such as mask mandates, social distancing and vaccine requirements.

“Federal vaccine mandates and restrictions were never about protecting Americans from the virus, they were about taking control at the expense of the American economy and the American way of life,” Mr DeSantis said Press release,

Mr DeSantis has received strong criticism from the public for refusing to enforce restrictions that have been proven to stop the spread of the virus.