A Florida sheriff had a stern warning for woke anti-Trump protesters, saying that any group that gathers around a vehicle and tries to stop passersby from getting through will most likely “get run over,” later adding that if any rioter were to pose a threat to a police officer, they would be killed.
For context, Brevard County, Florida, Sheriff Wayne Ivey made it clear that protesters who attempt to stir up chaos and violence in his city will face dire consequences, telling reporters during a June 13, 2025, press conference that mobs attempting to block cars will probably get run over. However, Sheriff Ivey clarified that he supports the Constitutional right to protest as long as peace is maintained.
During the press conference, Sheriff Ivey began by decrying statements made by Democratic politicians like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to be doxxed. The sheriff said, “Our ICE agents, just like our Florida Highway Patrol, are our partners. We all ride together in this—we’re all out here to make sure we’re protecting our citizens and our communities. ”
Continuing, Sheriff Ivey said that his officers “will have their back,” referring to ICE agents, adding that anybody attempting to dox police officers or ICE personnel would be in serious trouble, saying, “We will take them to full task. We will stand with our officers.”
Next, the sheriff turned to the topic of protests, saying, “Peaceful protests are part of our democracy. We invite people to share their opinions; that’s what our country is all about.” However, he clarified, “The key word in that is peaceful. And if it’s peaceful, we in law enforcement are going to make sure you have a safe environment to do it in. That’s part of the process.”
Building on his point, Sheriff Ivey warned would-be protesters that if they “let it turn violent,” they would regret it, saying, “I believe I can speak for my fellow sheriffs around the rest of the state: don’t let it happen. And just so there’s no confusion, because I don’t want to hear any whining later saying ‘we didn’t know,’ I’m going to break it down for you.”
Then, the sheriff listed a series of warnings to rioters, admonishing them not to “try to mob-rule a car in Brevard County,” saying, “You are most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street.” He added, “If you spit on us, you’re going to the hospital and to jail. If you hit one of us, same thing: hospital and jail—and likely a bite from one of our big, beautiful dogs.
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Concluding his message to rioters, the sheriff said, “And if you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will notify your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you—graveyard dead.” He added, “We are not going to play. This has got to stop. You’re watching what’s happening out there: police officers are being attacked, spit on, and put in harm’s way just for doing their jobs…not here, not in the state of Florida.”
Watch the press conference:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video