Ron DeSantis gave critics one response about rainbow crosswalks that left them speechless

Ron DeSantis has never been afraid to take on the woke mob.

The Florida Governor proved that once again when leftist activists tried to turn road maintenance into a political circus.

And Ron DeSantis gave critics one response about rainbow crosswalks that left them speechless.

DeSantis enforces federal road standards while Democrats lose their minds

The Florida Department of Transportation made headlines when they removed rainbow-colored crosswalks across the state, including one outside the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

What should have been routine compliance with federal transportation standards turned into another manufactured outrage campaign by the Left.

According to the Daily Wire, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a directive on July 1 ordering all governors to comply with federal standards for “consistent and recognizable traffic control devices including crosswalk and intersection markings, and orderly use of the right‑of‑way that is kept free from distractions.”

DeSantis did exactly what any responsible governor should do – he followed federal law.

But that didn’t stop Democrat politicians from turning this into political theater.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer called the removal “callous” and “a cruel political act.”

State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith went even further, claiming the state did this “in the middle of the night because they were scared of the resistance.”

These politicians acted like removing non-compliant road markings was some kind of hate crime instead of basic government maintenance.

DeSantis shuts down the hysteria with six perfect words

DeSantis had enough of the manufactured outrage and political grandstanding.

When critics tried to turn routine road maintenance into a culture war battle, the Florida Governor delivered a response that cut through all the noise.

“It’s like they think that they should just be a law unto themselves,” DeSantis said at a press conference.

Without directly naming Orlando officials, DeSantis made it clear he wasn’t backing down from enforcing state transportation standards.

When critics tried to frame this as an attack on specific communities, DeSantis delivered his knockout response:

“We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1958583393714667572

That one sentence cut through all the political theater and got to the heart of the matter.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue explained that the state conducted an inventory of “more than 400 locations across the state” and found various non-compliant markings.

“It’s across the board. Pavement art is not allowed, and we’re removing everything that’s not compliant with state-federal standards,” Perdue stated. “We did an inventory of more than 400 locations across the state, and it’s all kinds of art.”

This wasn’t about any particular group or message – it was about treating all road markings equally under the law.

DeSantis made it clear that Florida roads serve one purpose: safe transportation for all residents.

“I don’t know why you’d want to try to make a scene over it, but just understand this has been done across the state and it’s been done regardless of the messaging that’s been used,” DeSantis said. “We’ve made the policy decision in Florida. We’re not going to use the roads for that purpose. The roads are there for either pedestrians to cross or cars to go, and that’s what it’s going to be.”

But leftist activists couldn’t accept that simple explanation because it didn’t fit their victim narrative.

The Left’s double standard gets exposed

Here’s what makes this whole controversy so ridiculous – the same people demanding special treatment for rainbow crosswalks would lose their minds if conservative groups painted their own political messages on public roads.

Imagine the outrage if someone painted “America First” or “Back the Blue” crosswalks across Florida cities.

CNN and the mainstream media would be running 24-hour coverage about “dangerous political messaging” on public infrastructure.

But when it’s woke symbolism, suddenly road safety standards don’t matter anymore.

DeSantis saw right through this double standard and refused to play their game.

The Governor applied the law equally – something that apparently drives leftist politicians absolutely crazy.

Carlos Guillermo Smith posted dramatic videos calling it “a disgusting act of betrayal.”

Orlando officials claimed they received “no warning” about the removal, as if following federal transportation guidelines required a formal apology tour.

But wait, it gets better.

Some activists actually showed up with chalk to redraw the rainbow colors on the crosswalk.

The state had to post troopers to stop people from vandalizing public roads.

Think about that for a second – grown adults throwing tantrums over crosswalk paint while state troopers have to babysit them.

DeSantis shows what backbone looks like

You want to know what real leadership looks like?

DeSantis got the federal guidance, applied it statewide, and didn’t blink when the usual suspects started having meltdowns.

No apology tour. No “listening sessions.” No carefully crafted statement about “understanding concerns.”

Just a governor doing his job while Democrats lose their minds over paint.

Meanwhile, Democrat politicians in Orlando turned routine road maintenance into a national controversy because they can’t resist making everything about their political agenda.

They’re more concerned with virtue signaling than actual governance.

FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue addressed critics who pointed out that rainbow crosswalks were previously approved, arguing that anything previously approved “is irrelevant now” under the change in state law.

When the rules changed, DeSantis followed them.

That’s called being a responsible leader instead of a political showboat.

Here’s the thing about this whole circus – it tells you everything you need to know about priorities.

DeSantis spent his week working on hurricane recovery, economic development, and actual governance.

Democrats spent their week having emotional breakdowns over crosswalk paint.

Florida voters can see the difference.

The woke activists learned something important: Ron DeSantis doesn’t negotiate with tantrums.

You can chalk all the rainbows you want – the Governor’s not changing course because some people can’t handle following the same rules as everyone else.

That’s exactly the kind of backbone Florida elected him to show.

¹ Gabrielle Russon, “Ron DeSantis dismisses critics in fight over Pulse rainbow crosswalk,” Orlando Sentinel, August 26, 2025.

² Hank Berrien, “DeSantis Removes Woke Crosswalk, Sparks Backlash From The Left,” Daily Wire, August 25, 2025.

³ Nadine Smith, “Press Statement: Defying DeSantis: Communities Show Their Rainbows as State Threatens Cities,” Equality Florida, August 26, 2025.

⁴ “Ron DeSantis is getting dragged for removing Pulse’s rainbow crosswalk in Orlando,” Queerty, August 26, 2025.