Casey DeSantis advocates for Hope Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted a news conference on Thursday morning in St. Augustine at the Anchor Faith Church. At the event, Casey DeSantis advocated for the program she spearheads: Hope Florida. The nonprofit organization "empowers individuals to embrace their full God-given potential." Recently, the program has faced some backlash. The controversy concerns a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation, which is tied to the welfare assistance program and has led to criticism from some state House Republicans. Critics say the money was inappropriately used to help campaign against a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state last November. Both Ron and Casey DeSantis have dismissed the accusations, saying they are wildly untrue.