SEE THE LETTER: Palm Bay City Council Requests Gov. DeSantis Suspend Chandler Langevin Over Anti-Indian Remarks
By Space Coast Daily // October 3, 2025
City Council voted 4–1 to both censure Langevin and request his suspension
WATCH REPLAY: The Palm Bay City Council voted 4-1 to request that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspend City Councilman Chandler Langevin from office after hearing four hours of public testimony, with dozens of Indian-Americans filling council chambers and an overflow room.
Related Story:Florida Senator Debbie Mayfield Urges Gov. Ron DeSantis to Suspend Palm Bay Councilman Over Anti-Indian Remarks
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — The Palm Bay City Council has formally asked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend Councilmember Chandler Langevin following a series of social media posts condemned as anti-Indian.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LETTER
In a letter sent Friday, the Palm Bay City Attorney Patricia Smith, acting on the direction of the city council, petitioned DeSantis under Florida Statute §112.51, which authorizes the suspension of municipal officials for misfeasance, incompetence, or other misconduct.
The move follows a heated October 2 council meeting, during which members voted 4–1 to both censure Langevin and request his suspension.
The council’s decision stems from several social media posts attributed to Langevin that targeted Indian immigrants and Indian Americans. Among them were statements claiming that “Indians are here to exploit us financially” and calls to “deport them immediately.”
The official letter to DeSantis acknowledges Langevin’s First Amendment rights, but argues that his actions go beyond personal expression.
It states that directing hostility toward a protected group constitutes misfeasance and incompetence, undermining public trust and violating anti-discrimination laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
Council members also cited a separate incident in which Langevin used official city letterhead without authorization to advocate for a pardon for Robert Rundo, founder of the Rise Above Movement.
Under Florida Statute §112.51, the governor may suspend a city official for a range of serious infractions, including misfeasance or neglect of duty. Any official who is suspended has the right to challenge the decision or seek reinstatement after a formal hearing.
DeSantis will now decide whether to act on the request for suspension. If granted, Langevin would be temporarily removed from office pending further proceedings.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LETTER
