Florida court pauses Miami land transfer for Trump library
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President Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The planned transfer of downtown Miami land for President Trump's future presidential library was temporarily blocked by a Florida judge on Tuesday.
The big picture: Marvin Dunn, a Miami historian and activist, filed a lawsuit saying the public should have been more involved in the process that saw Miami-Dade College transfer ownership of the 2.63-acre property that has an estimated value of $67 million to the state, which donated it for Florida's first presidential library.
- Dunn accused the college board of trusties of violating Florida's Sunshine Law, which requires open transparency, and Judge Mavel Ruiz, of Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit, said Tuesday "the court does not believe that the notice was reasonable" in alerting the public to a Sept. 23 meeting where the plans were voted through, per the Wall Street Journal.
What we're watching: The board's legal representatives have indicated they'll appeal the ruling, which doesn't permanently block the state donating the land to Trump.
What they're saying: "We believe that Judge Ruiz made a well-reasoned decision on this matter of great public importance," said Richard Brodsky, an attorney for Dunn, in an emailed statement Tuesday evening.
- "We hope that Miami Dade College will give proper notice and allow public input."
The other side: Sierra Dean, a spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon accused the judge of "attempting to undermine President Trump and his legacy."
- Dean added: "Make no mistake, we will prevail. The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library will be housed in the Free State of Florida."
- Representatives for the White House, DeSantis administration and Miami-Dade College did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday evening request for comment.
Go deeper: Trump presidential library proposed for downtown Miami site
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Sierra Dean, a spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
