DeSantis unveils George Washington replica in Chipley, frames America 250 tour and recent state policy moves

Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a replica of a George Washington statue in Chipley on Saturday as part of Florida's America 250 tour, praising the Founders and promoting a statewide program of exhibits and events aimed at educating residents about American history.

DeSantis, introduced in remarks at the event and later addressed by name by Visit Florida's lead, said the state worked with Mount Vernon to secure a loaned replica for display in Washington County and thanked former Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin for approving the replica's production. "We were able to get [a loan] from Mount Vernon, this beautiful George Washington statue," he said, calling the statue "meaningful" for local civic education.

The governor used the Chipley stop to summarize legislative priorities and recent executive actions. He called for an "artificial intelligence bill of rights" and measures to make certain COVID-era medical-freedom protections permanent. He also told the crowd the administration has moved to prohibit what he described as the imposition of Sharia law in Florida and to bar state funds from going to "any entity that is affiliated with groups like CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood," adding, "We have designated them as foreign terrorist organizations." He also said the state has banned locally imposed Green New Deal policies such as a carbon tax and has extended bans on diversity, equity and inclusion work across local governments.

Brian Griffin, president and CEO of Visit Florida, and Cord Byrd, Florida's secretary of state (both introduced during the event), described the broader America 250 FL effort: two mobile exhibit trailers that will travel to all 67 counties, a docu-series and an online hub with maps and event listings. "This is what 250 is all about, us coming together and celebrating our country," Griffin said, encouraging residents to visit america250fl.com and visitflorida250fl.com for details.

Organizers framed the tour as part commemoration, part civic education and part tourism promotion: the trailers will showcase early Florida history in one unit and 20th-century cultural highlights in the other. DeSantis told the crowd that taking exhibits and grant funding to smaller counties is a priority because the money goes farther in rural communities.

DeSantis also included partisan remarks aimed at national Democrats during the speech, saying House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries "wouldn't do very well in Chipley" and urging opponents to bring their campaigns to rural parts of the state.

The event included a brief community photo moment with children and local participants and closed with DeSantis urging a renewed commitment to the principles of the Founding Fathers as the state marks the nation's semiquincentennial. Organizers directed residents to the project websites for schedules and additional information.

The governor's statements about designations, funding restrictions and legal changes were made onstage; the event transcript does not include citations to specific statutes or rulemaking steps implementing those measures, and no formal vote or ordinance was recorded at the event.