Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday reportedly defended his administration’s move to remove murals and other painted markings from roadways across Florida, framing the order as a matter of safety and neutrality rather than ideology.
Appearing in Tampa alongside Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, the governor doubled down on a new statewide policy that has already sparked pushback from local officials.
The effort stems from Senate Bill 1662, which DeSantis signed into law in June.
FDOT has instructed municipalities to review and potentially remove artwork painted directly on roads and crosswalks, citing longstanding safety guidelines. “Non-standard surface markings” can confuse drivers and endanger pedestrians, the department has said.
A spokesperson for the agency explained last month that the law directs FDOT “to ensure compliance with FDOT’s uniform system for traffic control devices. To follow the provisions of the law, FDOT is currently performing an evaluation on facilities across the state.”
Perdue underscored that the initiative is aimed at preserving Florida’s public infrastructure as a place free of political messaging. In a post on X last month, he called the effort an attempt “to ensure we keep our transportation facilities free & clear of political ideologies.”
The department has already identified more than 400 such locations statewide, including dozens in the Tampa Bay region. Tampa officials said 47 crosswalks and murals will be removed, among them a “Back the Blue” mural outside the city’s police department. In St. Petersburg, a Pride mural, a University of South Florida campus mural, and a “Black History Matters” mural will also be covered up.
DeSantis dismissed criticism that the policy targets particular viewpoints. “We’re not doing the commandeering of the roads to put up messaging,” the governor said at the press conference. “The roads are there for either pedestrians to cross or cars to go, and that’s what it’s going to be.”
The governor emphasized that the change was driven by the legislature, not by selective enforcement. “I don’t think those kids were doing anything wrong,” DeSantis said, referring to some of the murals painted in recent years. “I think it’s just a change in policy, and we don’t want to be in a situation where we’re playing whack-a-mole. So, ‘Oh, well, no, that mural’s fine, but that’s not. We think the pedestrians may get confused there. We think a driver, oh no, that’s fine,’ because then you get into like, ‘Oh, there’s a content thing and all that.’ No, we’re just not doing it.”
State leaders made clear there will be no exceptions. Municipalities that fail to comply could risk losing state transportation funding.
For DeSantis and his allies, the push reflects a broader philosophy of ensuring that public spaces—especially those with direct safety implications—remain neutral.
The administration has argued that Florida’s roads should be kept clear of distractions and political messaging alike, reinforcing the idea that transportation infrastructure must serve all Floridians equally.
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