Governor DeSantis announced at Seminole High School in Pinellas County that he will sign the appointment of Judge Adam Tannenbaum to the Florida Supreme Court, filling the vacancy created by a recent retirement. DeSantis said the appointment comes from a list provided by the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and does not require Senate confirmation.

The appointment will make six of the court's seven justices gubernatorial appointees from DeSantis's administration, the governor said, arguing that his selections have improved the court's predictability and fidelity to the state constitution. DeSantis introduced Tannenbaum as a local graduate — a former Seminole High School valedictorian and University of Florida alumnus — who later earned his law degree at Georgetown University Law Center and served on the First District Court of Appeal.

In his remarks, Tannenbaum thanked the governor, his family and the Judicial Nominating Commission and outlined his judicial philosophy as an originalist focused on 'fixed' meaning at the time of enactment. "What the judges say about the law is not the law," Tannenbaum told students and attendees as he described judicial humility and the court's role in applying, not making, law.

DeSantis and Tannenbaum also touched on administrative duties for the court. Tannenbaum said he intends to pursue both originalist jurisprudence and administrative reforms to improve efficiency in the court system.

Reporters asked DeSantis several follow-up questions. On the proposal for New College to take over the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, DeSantis said USF and New College leadership support the arrangement, defended earlier governance changes at New College (a new board and a mission shift toward classical liberal arts) and said the campus and enrollment have stabilized after the 2023 changes. On whether the state is pursuing charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, DeSantis said the attorney general's office is working with federal prosecutors and that there is no public announcement; he emphasized coordination with federal authorities to avoid conflicting cases.

When asked about 'Schools of Hope' and whether the program imposes unfair burdens on districts, DeSantis said the initiative targets a small number of high-need schools and favors using unused district space rather than building new facilities; he said the legislature is discussing modest cost-sharing such as janitorial expenses. DeSantis also cited recent insurance premium movements — saying Citizens reported an average 8.4% reduction and other carriers were announcing cuts — and raised property-tax growth as a rationale for pursuing a ballot approach to tax relief.

The governor concluded by reiterating his confidence in Tannenbaum. DeSantis described the appointment process (Judicial Nominating Commission provides nominees; the governor selects from that list) and noted there is no legislative confirmation step; he said he will sign the appointment and Tannenbaum will move from the appellate court to the state's highest court. "Yes," DeSantis said when asked about pay: Tannenbaum will receive a pay increase on elevation to the Supreme Court.

The event closed after brief remarks and Q&A; no legislative or judicial confirmation votes were held at the event.