Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving ahead with plans to honor recently deceased conservative radio broadcaster Rush Limbaugh by lowering flags to half-staff despite protests from some public officials who don't see Limbaugh as worthy of the honor.
DeSantis announced Tuesday that he was directing the U.S. and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach, the City Hall of Palm Beach and the State Capitol in Tallahassee from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday.
A longtime resident of Palm Beach, Limbaugh, 70, died of lung cancer last Wednesday. DeSantis called Limbaugh a legend during a news conference two days later and indicated that he would direct flags to be flown at half-staff to honor him.
FILE - Rush Limbaugh speaks during a ceremony inducting him into the Hall of Famous Missourians on May 14, 2012, in the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Limbaugh died of lung cancer on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. He was memorialized as the "greatest of all time" on Fox's website, but to critics who saw Limbaugh as a spreader of bigotry, it was good riddance. Limbaugh remained at the top of the heap among radio hosts even until his death. (AP PhotoJulie Smith, File)
But many Democrats objected. Nikki Fried, Florida's agriculture commissioner and the only statewide Democratic officeholder, said Monday that she would not abide by the Republican governor's orders. She said she would notify all state officers she oversees to disregard the governor's order.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman posted on Twitter that his city wouldn't honor hatred, racism, bigotry, homophobia or anything else Limbaugh has spewed over the years.
The governor's order doesn't apply to any of the offices controlled by Fried or the city of St. Petersburg.
Logan Nichols vacationing from California drops off a bouquet of flowers at the home of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 20121 in Palm Beach, Fla. Limbaugh, 70, died this morning of lung cancer. (AP PhotoMarta Lavandier)
Town of Palm Beach officials and Palm Beach County court officials didn't immediately reply to emails asking if they planned to follow the order.
A year ago, President Donald Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during his final State of the Union address. The day before, Limbaugh had announced that he was battling advanced lung cancer.
Limbaugh had for decades championed conservativism — often stridently at the expense of liberals and Democrats.
Flags are typically lowered to honor prominent government officials, as well as law enforcement officers and members of the military killed in the line of duty. DeSantis has said Limbaugh's stature justified the honor.
