DeSantis bashed for using 'executive privilege' to avoid disclosing his activities: report

Florida is renowned for having some of the strongest public records laws in the United States — some experts believe the "Florida Man" meme came about, in fact, largely because it's one of the easiest states to make public records requests and learn the details of sensational crimes.

But Gov. Ron DeSantis has been using his powers to tear a hole in Florida's transparency laws, reports NBC News — at least, when it comes to himself.

"In the four years since DeSantis took office, his administration has routinely stonewalled the release of public records, approved a slew of new legal exceptions aimed at keeping more information out of the public eye, and waged legal battles against open government advocates, the press and other watchdogs," reported Lewis Kamb. "DeSantis, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former U.S. attorney, is the only Florida governor known to use 'executive privilege' to keep records hidden, transparency advocates and experts said."

The Florida legislature has encouraged the lack of transparency with a recently-passed law that allows DeSantis to shield his travel records and security detail information, right as he ramps up travel around the country for his presidential campaign — which will make it much harder to determine, for example, who is paying for his trips. The law even applies retroactively to prior trips.

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"DeSantis also has fought to conceal information about some of the most significant events during his tenure, including withholding Covid infection data and blocking release of records about the controversial relocation of dozens of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, legal filings show," said the report. "It’s difficult to compare DeSantis to past Florida governors on transparency issues — in part because his administration has withheld some key information sought by NBC News and other media organizations that would show how often it denies requests for records and how long it takes to disclose them."

DeSantis' migrant relocation flights have caused outrage around the country, and California officials are investigating whether charges should be brought after another contingent was shipped to Sacramento with no notice for state officials.

Florida Center for Government Accountability public access director Michael Barfield told NBC News, “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s stunning, the amount of material that has been taken off the table from a state that many have considered to be the most transparent. We’ve quickly become one of the least transparent in the space of four years.”