A Florida judge's decision to block a prime piece of Miami real estate from becoming the site of President Donald Trump's presidential library has sparked fierce backlash from a prominent Republican lawmaker.
As reported by Newsweek, the 2.6-acre plot, valued at over $67 million, was transferred from Miami-Dade College to the state and then to the Trump library foundation, only to be stalled by a judicial ruling on Tuesday.
Situated in downtown Miami near Biscayne Boulevard and close to cultural hubs and tourist spots, this parking lot turned potential landmark was seen as an ideal location until a lawsuit derailed the plan.
Last month, Miami-Dade College's board of trustees approved the transfer of the undeveloped parcel in a meeting that reportedly took less than five minutes, sparking concerns over transparency.
The land was then handed to the state, which passed it to the foundation led by Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump along with her husband, setting the stage for what Eric Trump called a tribute to "the greatest President our Nation has ever known."
However, historian and activist Marvin Dunn challenged the deal, claiming the college violated Florida's Sunshine Act by not involving the public in such a significant decision.
On Tuesday, Florida circuit judge Mavel Ruiz sided with Dunn, issuing a temporary block on the transaction and stating that "the court does not believe that the notice was reasonable."
Ruiz insisted her ruling wasn't driven by political motives, yet she mandated the college board to issue a new public notice and hold another vote, allowing more time for community input.
The board, unwilling to comply, announced plans to appeal, signaling that this legal battle over a prime piece of public land is far from over.
Republican Representative Randy Fine, speaking to Newsweek, didn't hold back, accusing Judge Ruiz of being "just another liberal judge who hates America" and suggesting that impeachment might be a fitting response for such judicial overreach.
Fine argued that the judiciary has repeatedly used what he termed "lawfare" to obstruct Trump's initiatives, quipping that while Democrats decry kings, some judges seem eager to wear the crown themselves.
A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis echoed this sentiment in a statement to Newsweek, labeling the ruling as "yet another example of an activist judge attempting to undermine President Trump and his legacy."
The push for Trump's presidential library in Florida reflects a broader desire among his supporters to cement his place in history, especially in a state that has become a stronghold for his political base.
With the DeSantis administration vowing to prevail and Fine advocating for strong measures against judicial interference, the fight over this downtown Miami plot is less about land and more about legacy.
As this dispute unfolds, the question remains whether public interest or political willpower will shape the final outcome, with millions in real estate value and historical significance hanging in the balance.
