TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Florida is now one step closer to possibly becoming the home of President Donald Trump’s future library.

The Florida Cabinet gave the green light for Trump’s future presidential library to be located at Miami-Dade College.

While Florida Republicans are rolling out the welcome mat for the president, there’s been some pushback. Not only for folks protesting in Miami, but also Democrats at the statehouse.
Tuesday’s vote comes after the Miami-Dade College board approved a land transfer, allowing the state to gain control over what’s currently being used as an employee parking lot.

The nearly three-acre site sits right next to the historic Freedom Tower, a treasure to the city’s immigrant community.

“It is just symbolic in so many different ways, including being in close proximity to the Freedom Tower,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ingoglia, and AG Commissioner Wilton Simpson shared their support for honoring Trump.
“President Trump has a great story to tell. As a Florida resident, I think it is quite fitting that we house it,’ said Uthmeier.

State lawmakers kicked off this debate last session when they passed SB 118, a bill that would remove the ability of local authorities to oversee the construction of any presidential library.

Democrats had concerns then, which only continue now.
“I don’t care who the president is. I think that you put counties and cities and those who lead within those areas in a very unfortunate situation to where, when residents go to them and ask them, what is happening? Why are you all doing this? Why can’t you all do anything? And now they have to say, blame Tallahassee,” said State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens).

Jones calls the move political and stresses the importance of having the public’s input on major moves like this.

“It’s hogwash. People do not like the fact that President Trump is standing up fiercely for the American people, and they’re just going to push back. That’s political, I would say, not putting a library in the state of Florida,” said Ingoglia.

Trump still has to hand-pick which state he wants his library to end up in, and if he selects Florida, it would be the first presidential library to ever be housed in the state.