TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Turning Point USA is hosting its 2025 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center. The event attracts high school and college students from across the country.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke about results from DOGE at the Department of Defense.

“We found tens of billions of dollars in savings from contracts we’ve eliminated, green initiatives that are gone, that we move over to President Trump’s priorities,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth also promised to help ICE agents who are facing pushback in communities during arrests.

“If they’re being attacked, their partners at the defense department are proud to stand alongside them to secure them,” Hegseth said.  
Southwest Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, who President Trump has endorsed for governor, urged students to stay engaged.

“Political activism is critical for the future. I get it. We are riding high. Donald Trump is on a win streak,” Donalds said.

Donalds was also critical of New York City’s democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“I have a responsibility to prepare my state for a lot more New Yorkers,” Donalds said.

Donald Trump Junior and conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson were also featured as speakers.

Victor DiMaio, who leads the Hillsborough Democratic Caucus, feels some ideas and speakers go too far to the right. He said that it will actually benefit the Democratic Party with support from young independent voters.

“Florida has a lot of huge independent voters,” DiMaio said. “Those people can be swayed. They make up almost a third of the voting populous.”

Protestors planned to meet Saturday afternoon at Tampa City Hall in opposition to the Trump agenda and the Student Action Summit.