Battle for Crab Island as Florida Locals Rebel Against Biden Intervention

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has warned a new federal government "commercial services strategy" for the Crab Island sandbar near Destin in northwestern Florida could end up "baiting people into their own drowning."

The House Republican claimed the proposal, from the National Park Service, would threaten up to 100 small businesses, which would be forced to either close or move into deeper water, endangering their customers.

Gaetz has emerged as one of the most outspoken House Republicans since his election in 2016, as Representative for Florida's 1^st congressional district. On Thursday Gaetz condemned Donald Trump's third indictment, over claims he acted illegally whilst trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election result, as a "disgrace to the United States of America." Trump has pleaded not guilty to all four charges he faces in the case.

A new National Park Service commercial services strategy could "take the place of at least 88 independent vendors" according to local network WEAR-TV.

Under the proposals the vendors wouldn't be banned from Crab Island, but they would be forced to operate in further out so they are outside of federal waters.

The National Park Service argues the change is needed to improve water quality, allow the damaged seagrass bed to recover and reduce the risk of accidents.

However Gaetz strongly disagreed, on Thursday tweeting: "Joe Biden's Administration is even trying to ruin Crab Island.

"Improving safety and responsible commerce on Crab Island is best done in partnership with local communities - not as a federal mandate... We will fight to block this unsafe, unwise federal regulation plan."

The congressman linked to a WEAR-TV report, in which he said the proposal would result in vendors going "out of business, or they'll be setting up business in the least safe possible positions out here."

Gaetz continued: "The worry is that in these areas where we are right now, visitors will not fully appreciate the torrent currents, the changes in elevation underneath us. You could have a no man's land here for activity but would bait people into their own drowning.

"You're really just taking away the bedrock of small business when this happens."

In comments emailed to Newsweek, Gaetz said: "Crab Island is best managed in cooperation with local governments, not through unnecessary federal overreach.

"These poorly conceived federal mandates risk baiting people into their own death—like a Venus flytrap. And in the name of creating less safe conditions, the federal government will also shut down nearly 100 local businesses.

"This proposal by the National Park Service and the Biden administration will have devastating effects to the Northwest Florida, and we are going to fight them every step of the way."

In a letter to the Department of the Interior, which manages the National Park Service, the Florida Republican claimed the commercial services strategy would both damage businesses and endanger visitors on Crab Island.

Newsweek has contacted the National Park Service for comment by email.

Dustin Mayor Bobby Wagner has also objected to the proposal, commenting: "The whole industry has tried to come together as best they can to try and regulate what's best for guests and businesses and so now that they're working together, big government is coming in telling us they have a better plan for us."

On July 13 an amendment Gaetz introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would have banned the spending of "federal funds for training on diversity, equity, and inclusion" for the military" was defeated by 221 votes to 210, after nine Republicans joined Democrats to vote it down.

Ginger Gaetz, the congressman's wife, has urged moviegoers to avoid summer blockbuster Barbie claiming the male lead Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, has "beta energy." She also criticized the film for avoiding "any notion of faith and family" and attempting to "normalize the idea that men and women can't collaborate positively."

Update 8/5/23 4:51 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from Representative Matt Gaetz.