Particle.news
Download on the App Store

DeSantis Renews Push to Ban First-Cousin Marriage in Florida

He cast the proposal as part of an anti-extremism campaign after signing a law that expands state power to label and penalize terrorist organizations.

Overview

  • DeSantis, speaking at a Tampa bill signing Monday, urged lawmakers to outlaw first-cousin marriage and said the practice enables what he called “stealth jihad.”
  • At the same event he signed a law that lets state leaders label groups as terrorist organizations, dissolve entities that support them, freeze state funding, and discipline students who promote such groups, despite a March ruling that his earlier CAIR designation violated the First Amendment.
  • Florida still allows first-cousin marriage after HB 733 failed this session, with backers of a ban citing higher genetic risks and opponents calling it a private family choice.
  • He repeated the call Tuesday in a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, who said he did not realize the practice is legal in Florida.
  • Rep. Dean Black says he will try to revive the ban, and a special legislative session is possible as the governor nears the end of his term.