Hope Florida

Questioned by reporters Tuesday, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the initiative, saying “I believe in this program deeply and I stand by it 100%."

They include immigration reform and an investigation into First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida Foundation.

DeSantis and his administration defend the initiative, saying it has helped transition 30,000 people off government assistance and saved the state $100 million.

A developing political scandal in Florida has put Gov. Ron DeSantis on the defensive. Republican lawmakers are investigating how $10 million in state money was diverted for use in a campaign.

Hope Florida is currently facing scrutiny over its funding including an inquiry by the Florida House.

The charity's foundation received a $10 million donation from a statewide settlement.

Florida’s attorney general told reporters in Tampa that he had no role in the Hope Florida settlements. He also announced that the state would be doubling down on protecting children on social media.

Senate Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gaetz said that questions surrounding Hope Florida and its foundation contributed to his decision to hold off on considering the nominations at his committee’s final meeting.

Seeking to "restore confidence" in its mission, directors of an embattled foundation affiliated with First Lady Casey DeSantis' signature Hope Florida welfare-assistance program on Thursday agreed to strengthen the nonprofit's structure amid widening scrutiny by the Florida House.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Rep. Alex Andrade, the Republican lawmaker leading the House probe into Hope Florida. Plus, updates from the mass shooting at Florida State University and more.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration deny that the Hope Florida Foundation has done anything wrong.

Hope Florida launched in 2021 as a program to connect Floridians in need of social and financial help to private sector groups, faith-based organizations and nonprofits, weaning them off government assistance.