Larry Keefe, former federal attorney, back as tsar for state public security

Former North Florida US attorney Larry Keefe, a candidate for Donald Trump who was shown the door after Joe Biden’s victory at the White House, re-emerged as the state’s new “Czar for Public Safety” and aided Governor Ron DeSantis in the Combating undocumented immigrants.

DeSantis announced Keefe’s appointment during a press conference on Tuesday in Fort Myers, where he also announced a new lawsuit announcing the Biden government’s immigration policy and an executive order banning state agencies from “facilitating illegal immigration to Florida.”

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Along with Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, and Keefe himself, DeSantis said the former chief federal attorney will ensure that executive action is carried out.

“I am proud to appoint Larry Keefe, former US attorney for the Northern District of Florida, as Tsar of Public Safety as we take important steps to protect Florida taxpayers from the burden of ruthless immigration policies,” said the governor. “We will continue to hold the federal government responsible for refusing to enforce this country’s immigration laws.”

Keefe, a former Shalimar trial attorney, was serving as a U.S. attorney from 2019 to late February when he resigned as part of the usual post-election turnover of top federal attorneys after taking over a new party in Washington.

“As a former US attorney, I’ve seen illegal aliens being deported and coming back and then being deported and coming back on an endless cycle,” Keefe said. “The states, including Florida, are bearing the brunt of this cycle.”

He went on to say that “our government agencies will be addressing the impact of illegal immigration on our state in the coming weeks and months. I would like to thank Governor DeSantis for appointing me to lead this effort.”

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A DeSantis spokesperson said Keefe will work closely with the governor and his officers, heads of state agencies, lawmakers, constituents, federal agencies and citizens to develop policies and oversee implementation.

His salary was not immediately available. Other senior policy advisors in the governor’s office make $ 170,000 a year.

Keefe, who maintained high visibility throughout his tenure and occasionally adjusted to law enforcement in pursuing suspects, had hoped to stay as a U.S. attorney even after Biden’s victory.

Over the years Keefe donated to both Republican and Democratic candidates, from Congressman Matt Gaetz, who spent a decade at Keefe’s former law firm, to Hillary Clinton.

He had the support of a number of prominent Democrats, including Congressman Al Lawson, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, and Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. But lobbying efforts on his behalf ultimately led to nowhere.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

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The post Larry Keefe, former federal attorney, back as tsar for state public security first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

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