Florida’s Attorney General Declares Racial Discrimination Law Unconstitutional

Florida Attorney General James Eutemier issued a statement indicating that the state’s legislation supporting racial discrimination is unconstitutional, and he will not enforce it.

Eutemier pointed out, “Racism is wrong and unconstitutional, yet Florida maintains several laws that seem to promote and require discrimination.” His opinion raises the question of whether laws requiring discrimination based on race—which favor specific racial groups or utilize race-based classifications—hold any constitutional standing.

The conclusion is clear: Such laws are presumptively unconstitutional, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Article 1, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution.

He emphasized, “As Attorney General, it’s my responsibility to uphold the guarantees of equal protection under both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions. These discriminatory laws contravene fundamental legal rights, which is why my office will not defend or enforce them.”

The timing of Eutemier’s pronouncement coincided with a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., the renowned civil rights activist who was assassinated in 1968.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Eutemier to the position last year, after he had previously served as the governor’s chief of staff.