Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier told Bradford County Republicans that he will “fight evil every day” and uphold constitutional principles, even in the face of legal challenges.
The 37-year-old told the crowd at the Gov. Charley Johns Conference Center during the GOP Patriots Dinner about his start in politics, stating that while running cross country at the University of Florida, he was offered his first political job after playing catch with Marco Rubio before a Gators football game.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Uthmeier, his former chief of staff, as Florida’s top law enforcement officer in February.
Uthmeier said his role as Attorney General is the most fulfilling job he’s ever had, driven by a daily mission to “do what’s right.”
He said that in his first six months, his office has arrested over 90 child predators and rescued 25 missing children who endured horrific abuse, achievements he credited to partnerships with Florida’s top-tier law enforcement.
“Our children are our most precious gift,” he said, urging parents to monitor their kids’ social media activity, particularly on apps like Snapchat, which he identified as a primary tool for predators due to its disappearing content.
He said that Tallahassee lawmakers passed laws to restrict apps from targeting children’s data, and tech companies pushed back, claiming First Amendment rights. He vowed to fight them in court to retain the intent of the new laws.
Lawsuits filed in first two days
The attorney general said that on his first day in office, he filed a Supreme Court lawsuit to defend President Donald Trump’s authority to fire uncooperative executive branch officials, challenging judicial limits on executive power.
“The Constitution says the executive power shall be vested in the President, not some judge nobody elected,” he asserted, celebrating recent court victories that have allowed Trump to reduce what he called the administrative state.
Uthmeier said that on Day 2, his office sued Target over its transgender children’s clothing line, arguing it violated the company’s fiduciary duties to shareholders, including Florida’s pension fund, which lost significantly on Target stock.
“The case is going well,” he told the audience, “and I have a feeling we’re going to take Target to the cleaners on this one. But the bigger point is that after we filed that lawsuit, every large corporation in the country was lined up outside my office trying to show me how they had eliminated DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). They got rid of their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), and they’re showing me, literally, pictures of the exhibits in their stores.”
Uthmeier also highlighted Florida’s leadership in immigration enforcement, detaining three times more individuals than Texas, despite not being a border state.
He highlighted “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention facility at an abandoned South Florida airport surrounded by the Everglades, approved and opened within days with President Trump’s support.
He noted, however, that a federal judge recently ordered its closure for environmental reasons and held Uthmeier in contempt for defying a prior ruling against enforcing a blocked immigration law.
Unfazed, Uthmeier vowed to uphold his oath to enforce the law, even if it means personal consequences, humorously requesting a toothbrush if jailed.
The AG emphasized that the facility houses serious criminals, including traffickers and murderers, and dismissed Democratic criticisms as out of touch.
Parental Rights and Education
Uthmeier touted Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation, the first of its kind, which he said ensures parents control their children’s education and protects against inappropriate content in schools.
His office established a Parental Rights division to serve as a “law firm” for parents, handling complaints about pornographic books and invasive surveys.
In June, Uthmeier warned the Alachua County School Board about a complaint he had received, alleging that two biological boys were allowed to stay in a second-grade girls’ cabin at Camp Crystal Lake, a summer camp located between Starke and Keystone Heights, operated by the school district.
“This is nuts,” he told the Starke audience, decrying such policies and affirming Florida’s commitment to two God-given sexes and protecting women’s spaces. He said his office remains undefeated in related legal actions, encouraging residents to report concerns.
Running in 2026
Uthmeier gave the audience a preview of his 2026 re-election campaign, positioning himself as a fighter who locks up “bad guys” and backs law enforcement 110%.
He said his opponents would likely favor plea deals or leniency for illegal immigrants.
He urged attendees to pursue truth and fight complacency, citing a recent Iowa Democratic win as a warning.
“We’ve already won the battle,” he said, referencing a spiritual conviction, “but we have to keep fighting for what’s right.”
