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Palm Beach County ready to punish 'traitors,' state attorney says

Dave Aronberg issues warning, 'We will not tolerate that kind of violence'
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Posted at 3:11 PM, Jan 07, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-07 16:11:15-05

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — "Traitors" who try to overthrow the U.S. government are not welcome in Palm Beach County, officials announced on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in West Palm Beach, State Attorney Dave Aronberg issued a strong warning to protesters and rioters who wish to incite violence on our streets.

"They are not welcome here if they try to come here and do here what they did in Washington, D.C. We will not tolerate that kind of violence," Aronberg said.

President Donald Trump officially changed his residency to Palm Beach last year, using his Mar-a-Lago address, and Aronberg said local law enforcement "will be ready" for disruptions from the public should Trump move here permanently when his presidency is over.

"Individuals who attempt to act like that will be met with a strong law enforcement response," Aronberg said.

"We have an obligation to ourselves and our neighbors and our friends to move forward as a unified nation," Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner said at Thursday's news conference.

Earlier in the day, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis renewed his push to crack down on violent protesters following Wednesday's deadly breach at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The governor urged the Florida Legislature to pass the Combating Violence, Disorder, and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act, which would make it a third-degree felony if you take part in a violent or disorderly assembly.

"It doesn't matter what banner you're flying under. The violence is wrong, the rioting and the disorder is wrong. We're not gonna tolerate it in Florida," DeSantis said.