Florida Attorney General Refers Former State Senator for Investigation Over ICE Location Post

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has formally referred former State Senator Linda Stewart for a criminal investigation following a social media post in which she disclosed the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a public transportation hub in Orlando. The referral stems from accusations by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, who alleged Stewart was "doxing" federal agents. Stewart, a Democrat, maintains she did nothing wrong, stating the information was publicly observable.

The controversy began when Stewart posted on Facebook on August 15, noting ICE's presence at Lynx Central Station in downtown Orlando. This post subsequently drew the attention of Laura Loomer, who has a significant social media following and accused Stewart of "doxxing" ICE agents, prompting Uthmeier's call for an investigation. Doxing typically involves maliciously publicizing personal information, a practice Attorney General Uthmeier has previously targeted with a new program designed to protect ICE agents.

Attorney General Uthmeier, in an X post, asserted that "harassing law enforcement to prevent them from doing their jobs is unlawful in Florida" and urged Orange County State Attorney Monique Worrell to investigate. However, Worrell's office responded that criminal investigations are typically conducted by law enforcement agencies, not their staff, and confirmed they had not yet received a criminal case package regarding the matter.

The Attorney General's move has drawn sharp criticism from civil liberties advocates and First Amendment experts. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida stated, "Members of the public, including former elected officials, have a clear constitutional right to share what they see in public, such as the presence of ICE at a bus station." Experts emphasized that truthfully reporting law enforcement activities in public spaces is constitutionally protected speech.

Linda Stewart, who previously served in the Florida Senate and on the Florida Commission on Ethics, defended her actions. "I have done absolutely nothing wrong!" Stewart told The Florida Phoenix, expressing shock at the Attorney General's reaction to her sharing information about ICE in a public space. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between free speech rights and concerns over law enforcement operations.