Florida Governor DeSantis Discusses Cousin Marriage Ban and Anti-Terrorism Legislation on Hannity Show

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis participated in an interview on Sean Hannity's Fox News program on April 8, 2024, where the discussion included a proposed ban on marriages between first cousins. Hannity expressed surprise that such marriages are legal in Florida, stating, “Um, maybe I’m just a little ignorant here.

” DeSantis responded that the practice is illegal in many states and indicated Florida should align with those restrictions.

DeSantis connected first-cousin marriages to what he described as “cultures that are antithetical to American values” and “stealth jihad” during a press conference on April 6, 2024. He made these remarks while signing House Bill 1471, which grants state officials expanded authority to designate groups as terrorist organizations.

The bill also prohibits state courts from enforcing foreign or religious laws that violate constitutional rights, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

1471 enables the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief of Domestic Security to recommend designations of domestic terrorist groups.

Institutions found to promote or support such organizations can lose state funding. Students promoting “terrorist violence” may face disciplinary action under the law. ” The governor also emphasized that Islamist groups would not receive public funding in areas like education or public safety.

U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and South Carolina, with several others allowing them under specific conditions. The practice is also permitted in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, and parts of the Middle East.

Florida lawmakers rejected a proposal to ban such marriages in March 2024.