Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said he has instructed Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd to formulate and immediately announce a schedule for special elections. This follows the expectation that Florida Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz will join President-elect Donald Trump’s administration next year.

Just one week after winning the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are moving quickly to fill key positions, and the pace has surprised political analysts.

President-elect Donald Trump has asked U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, a person familiar with the matter says.

President-elect Donald Trump has asked U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, a person familiar with the matter says.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz is seeking re-election in District 6, which covers southern St. Johns County, Putnam and Flagler counties and residents of eastern Marion and northern Volusia counties. He faces one Republican primary challenger, John Grow. The winner will face Democrat James David Stockton III in the November general election. A write-in candidate also qualified for the general election.

Republicans are criticizing President Biden for his tone.

In a historic moment, the House voted on Friday to expel Republican Rep. George Santos of New York after a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.

One of the American survivors from the kidnapping in Mexico is expected back home Wednesday, according to her mother.

A Florida judge on Thursday said he would temporarily block a 15-week abortion ban from taking effect, following a court challenge by reproductive health providers who say the state constitution guarantees a right to the procedure.

The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered about 8,500 U.S. troops on heightened alert, preparing for possible deployment to Europe, if needed, to reassure NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression on the border of Ukraine.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is demanding answers from the U.S. attorney general and the Department of Homeland Security about flights carrying migrants into and through Jacksonville.

The News4Jax I-TEAM is looking into claims that the U.S. government is flying immigrant adults and children into Jacksonville under the cover of darkness as they deal with an influx of people crossing the southern border.

A Leon County judge has ruled that Florida school districts can require students to wear masks, and on this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we hear from Duval County School Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen and local attorney and parent Chris Hand. We also have state Rep. Cord Byrd, who supports parental choice. And the rush to evacuate Afghanistan has turned violent. With American and Afghan casualties, it has become emotional for veterans. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, gives his view.

Multiple bombings took the lives of a dozen American military members Thursday in Kabul and more than 60 Afghans were killed.

Top Pentagon leaders are defending the military’s approach to addressing racism and extremism and pushing back against accusations by Republican lawmakers that the effort is creating division and hurting morale.

Rep. Michael Waltz speaks before President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Ocala International Airport in October. Seven Republicans joined all the Democrats to convict, 57-43, but it was far from the two-thirds threshold required. He reiterated his position during an interview with Kent Justice on This Week in Jacksonville that aired Sunday. I think it sets a very dangerous precedent in making impeachment almost too easy and too common,” Waltz said. Waltz was asked if Trump bears any responsibility for the events of Jan. 6 by falsely claiming the election was “rigged” before and after the votes were counted for the presidential election.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump was acquitted this weekend in his second impeachment trial. The five-day trial focused on the events before, during and after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. It’s pouring salt on the wound of so many of President Trump’s supporters,” Waltz said. So I just don’t think it’s good for the country.”AdIn response to Waltz’s remarks, state Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, had a different view. “I think the congressman is wearing blinders on top of his rose-colored glasses because, obviously, he didn’t see what we all saw,” Gibson said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” state Sen. Audrey Gibson, University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Laboratory Director Dr. Michael Binder and Jacksonville University College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Matthew Corrigan hold a roundtable discussion on the acquittal of former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz also explains his vote against impeaching Trump.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rick Mullaney of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Insitute joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to talk about the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump that will be sent to the Senate, as well as the ramifications and possible repercussions for continuing the impeachment process. Then, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz joins the show to talk about his views on the impeachment process and the impacts of the riot at the Capitol. Finally, Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson joins the show to talk about her views and optimism for President Joe Biden’s administration and the historic moment of Vice President Kamala Harris being sworn in.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida newspaper apologized Friday for endorsing the re-election of a Republican congressman who now supports a lawsuit seeking to have the Supreme Court overthrow the will of the voters in the presidential election. “We had no idea, had no way of knowing at the time, that Waltz was not committed to democracy,” the paper wrote Friday. The lawsuit rests on numerous unfounded claims that have been rejected in dozens of lawsuits, including by judges appointed by Trump. Attorney General William Barr told The Associated Press last week there is no evidence of fraud that would have changed the election result. the Sentinel wrote.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Republican Kat Cammack has won Florida’s U.S. House seat held by her former boss, retiring Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho. He defeated Democrat Donna Deegan, a former television news anchor and breast cancer survivor who has become an advocate and fundraiser for cancer research. District 7: Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy has been reelected to a third term, defeating Republican challenger Leo Valentin. District 26: Republican Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has won a Florida seat in the U.S. House, defeating a single-term Democrat. District 27: Republican Maria Elvira Salazar has defeated Democrat Donna Shalala for a U.S. House seat in Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Concern that there may not be a decision on election night is putting a new focus on congressional elections in Florida and elsewhere. If no presidential candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the ultimate decision would be up to the U.S. House of Representatives. Florida has 14 Republican and 13 Democratic members of the U.S. House. But the most vulnerable is House District 26, which is held by U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat. The Florida House went so far as to name GOP electors just in case Florida’s election outcome and the outcome of the race were still tied up in court.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Five Florida congressmen are calling for an investigation into the pandemic relief loan secured by the Florida Democratic Party in May. Republicans have used the $780,000 loan secured by the Democrats in local and national attack ads. We’ve been asking for months, but the Democratic Party of Florida has so far refused to release the loan application. Lying on a PPP loan application is a felony that carries up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. We reached out to the Democratic Party of Florida for comment on this story and requested a copy of the original loan application.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Despite repeated calls from news organizations and the GOP, the Florida Democratic Party has so far refused to release its Payroll Protection Program loan application. Political parties were supposed to be excluded from the PPP loan program, but somehow Democrats got at least $780,000. Now, the GOP is calling for the Small Business Administration to release that information. In documents, Democrats show repaying the money to a different bank than the one that issued the loan. We also asked the Florida Democratic Party why it isn’t releasing the application, but we’ve yet to hear back from them.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. On this edition of This Week in Jacksonville, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz addresses critics and explains the benefits for Jacksonville hosting the Republican National Convention. St. Johns County School Board Chair Beverly Slough talks about how the county is adjusting to the new guidelines for schools. Clay County Commissioner Mike Cella details the numerous races that county residents will decide this November. And former Atlantic Beach Police Chief Michelle Cook joins the show to talk about her run for Clay County sheriff.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Several business owners suing the city of Jacksonville and the Republican National Committee said theyre focused on protecting the community. The Republican National Convention coming to Jacksonville in August amid rising COVID-19 cases is setting fire to a national debate about whether its safe to hold a convention during the pandemic. Wednesday, a group of business owners and attorneys filed a lawsuit against the city and the conventions organizers, demanding major changes to keep the public safe. Hes among seven business owners filing suit, demanding changes before President Donald Trump and other top party leaders take the stage. In my opinion, its not political.A spokesperson for the city of Jacksonville said they couldnt comment because this is an active legal case.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee on Thursday announced the 32 people who are leading the efforts to host the Republican National Convention. President Trump will accept the nomination of the Republican Party for a second term as president in August at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Jacksonville from Aug. 24 - 27. The 32 members of the Host Committee are as follow, according to a news release:Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee Co-ChairsLenny CurryJacksonville MayorBrian BallardPresident, Ballard PartnersJacksonville 2020 Host Committee MembersJohn RutherfordMember of the United States House of RepresentativesColonel Michael WaltzMember of the United States House of RepresentativesBill GalvanoPresident of the Florida SenateJose OlivaSpeaker of the Florida House of RepresentativesWilton SimpsonFlorida Senate President DesignateChris SprowlsFlorida House of Representatives Speaker DesignateRob BradleyFlorida Senate Appropriations ChairTravis CummingsFlorida House of Representatives Appropriations ChairFernando Acosta-RuaPresident & Chief Executive Officer of Pet ParadiseAndy AllenFounder of Corner Lot PropertiesMax AlvarezFounder of Sunshine Gasoline DistributorsJohn BakerChairman and CEO of FRP Holdings, Inc.Pam BondiFormer Florida Attorney General and Chair of Ballard Partners Corporate Regulatory ComplianceEd BurrPresident and CEO of GreenPointe Holdings, LLCRobert CokerSenior Vice President, Public Affairs, of U.S. SugarMichael CorriganPresident and CEO of Visit JacksonvilleJ. David & Jodi CoxwellPresident of J.B. Coxwell ContractingDaniel DavisPresident and CEO of JAX ChamberCarol DoverPresident and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging AssociationNat FordChief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Transportation AuthorityJosh GarrisonPresident of Miranda ContractingLeon L. Haley Jr., M.D. Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Florida; Dean, College of Medicine - Jacksonville; CEO, UF Health JacksonvilleBishop Vaughn McLaughinFounder and Senior Pastor of the Potter's House International MinistriesRick MoralesPresident of Morales Construction Co.Tom PetwayJacksonville Business and Civic LeaderTy PetwayChief Executive Officer of US AssureJohn RoodFounder of The Vestcor CompaniesKent StermonChief Operating Officer of Total Military ManagementAundra WallacePresident of JAXUSA Partnership

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On “This Week in Jacksonville,” Rep. Michael Waltz discusses his passion for veterans, as well as his recent experience with President Donald Trump in Daytona. Dr. Michael Binder explains the latest polling by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab. And 5th Congressional District candidate LaShonda “LJ” Holloway talks about her run for Congress.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For only the fourth time in U.S. history, the House of Representatives has started a presidential impeachment inquiry. The impeachment inquiry into Trump is passionately partisan, and after speaking with members of the House of Representatives in Northeast Florida, that remains the case. News4Jax found a place Republican Rep. John Rutherford, Republican Rep. Michael Waltz and Democratic Rep. Al Lawson all agree. Impeachment," Lawson said. Republicans tell News4Jax they're upset they haven't had a single chance to vote in the House about the impeachment inquiry.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Northeast Floridas historic coastline is the target of a bill introduced by Florida congressmen. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford and Michael Waltz announced Monday theyre backing legislation that would designate parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns counties as a National Heritage Area. The bill, known as the Nations Oldest Port National Heritage Area Act, would recognize the region for its historical value. That funding would offset the costs absorbed by the museum during the heritage areas creation. A 2012 study showed the Alliance of National Heritage Areas contributed nearly $13 billion annually to Americas economy and supported almost 148,000 jobs.