Politics
Florida Republicans Turn Against Trump
By Jake Beardslee · December 19, 2025
GOP Delegation Pushes Back on Interior Department Plan
Florida’s Republican-led congressional delegation is pressing the Trump administration to abandon a proposal that would allow offshore oil drilling near the state’s coastline for the first time in decades, arguing the move would endanger tourism, environmental protections, and military readiness. The opposition marks an unusual public split between Republican lawmakers and a Republican president on an issue long considered politically sensitive in Florida. The White House / Wikimedia
Drilling Expansion Tied to Trump’s Energy Agenda
The dispute follows a November announcement by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum outlining plans to expand offshore drilling near both California and Florida as part of President Donald Trump’s broader push for American “energy dominance.” During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly emphasized expanded domestic energy production, pledging to “drill, baby, drill.” Jeff Muceus, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reversal of Biden-Era Energy Policies
The proposed drilling expansion represents a sharp departure from energy policies under the Biden administration, which sought to limit offshore drilling while expanding clean energy initiatives. Since returning to office, Trump has moved swiftly to unwind those policies, including canceling billions of dollars in clean energy grants and blocking offshore wind projects. However, the offshore drilling proposal has triggered bipartisan resistance in both Florida and California, with lawmakers citing environmental risks and potential economic consequences. Office of President Joe Biden / Wikimedia
Tourism and Military Concerns Drive Florida Opposition
In Florida, opposition is heightened due to the state’s reliance on coastal tourism and offshore military operations. In a letter to Trump, Republican Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody joined all 28 members of Florida’s House delegation — including 20 Republicans — in warning that offshore drilling could undermine the state’s tourism-based economy and disrupt military training exercises conducted offshore. The White House / Wikimedia
Rare Public Rift Within the GOP
The coordinated pushback represents a rare moment of public disagreement between GOP lawmakers and a Republican president. Lawmakers emphasized that offshore drilling has long been politically fraught in Florida, where coastal protection has bipartisan support. The White House / Wikimedia
Reference to Trump’s Previous Drilling Moratorium
In their appeal, lawmakers pointed to Trump’s earlier decision during his first term to extend a moratorium on offshore drilling that barred oil and gas leasing in Florida’s coastal waters until 2032. That move came after similar lobbying efforts from Florida officials. 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" from Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall, Va. / Wikimedia
Lawmakers Cite Deepwater Horizon Fallout
“Florida’s economy relies on that same beautiful coastline, vibrant tourism industry, and sustainable fisheries,” the lawmakers wrote, referencing the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which they said “wiped billions of dollars from Florida’s industries and caused irreparable damage to our environment and coastal communities.”“The risks posed by new offshore drilling far outweigh any short-term gains,” they continued. “For these reasons, we urge you to uphold your existing moratorium and keep Florida’s coasts off the table for oil and gas leasing. Florida’s economy, environment and military readiness depend on this commitment.” U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley / Wikimedia
