Wikipedia

James Uthmeier

James Uthmeier
Official portrait, 2025
39th Attorney General of Florida
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 17, 2025
GovernorRon DeSantis
Preceded byAshley Moody
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Florida
In office
October 2021 – February 2025
GovernorRon DeSantis
Preceded byAdrian Lukis
Succeeded byJason Weida
Personal details
BornJames William Uthmeier
(1987-11-25) November 25, 1987 (age 38)
Destin, Florida, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseJean Uthmeier
Children3
EducationUniversity of Florida (BS, MA)
Georgetown University (JD)

James William Uthmeier (/uːθmaɪər/ UHTH-my-ər; born November 20, 1987) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 39th attorney general of Florida since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis from 2021 to 2025.

Early life and career

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Uthmeier is a native of Destin, Florida.[1] He was raised in a Catholic family, a faith which he follows today. He attended Fort Walton Beach High School and later graduated from the University of Florida, where he had competed for the Florida Gators track and field program.[2] He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014. Prior to joining the Trump administration he was an associate at Jones Day.[3]

Uthmeier worked from 2017 to 2019 in the U.S. Department of Commerce as a senior counsel and senior advisor in the Trump administration. [4] He then joined the office of Florida governor Ron DeSantis as deputy general counsel in 2019, then was promoted in 2020 to general counsel.[5] [6] In October 2021, he was appointed chief of staff to the Governor, succeeding Adrian Lukis.[7] He remained as chief of staff until his appointment as attorney general and was succeeded by Secretary Jason Weida.[8]

From 2023 to 2024, Uthmeier served as campaign manager of Ron DeSantis's unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.[9]

Attorney General of Florida (2025–present)

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On January 16, 2025, Governor DeSantis announced his intention to appoint Attorney General Ashley Moody to the United States Senate to succeed Marco Rubio.[10] DeSantis also announced he would appoint Uthmeier to succeed Moody as attorney general, in the event of a vacancy.[11]

On February 17, 2025, Uthmeier was sworn in as the 39th Florida attorney general.[3][12] At 37, he became one of the youngest state attorneys general.[6]

On February 25, 2025, he filed paperwork to seek a full term in 2026.[13] The following day, Uthmeier released a new seal for the Office of the Florida attorney general, referencing the "Free State of Florida."[14]

In March 2025, Uthmeier opened a criminal investigation into social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, saying: "We're going to pursue every tool we have within our legal authority to hold them accountable".[15][16] Despite the brothers' relocation to Las Vegas, Uthmeier confirmed his investigation would continue.[17] Andrew Tate criticized the investigation as "absolute communism."[17] On March 13, Andrew Tate returned to Miami and "taunted" Uthmeier to "arrest [him]."[18]

In April 2025, Uthmeier issued a subpoena to Roblox demanding information about the platform's marketing to children, age-verification requirements, and chat room moderation policies.[19] The subpoena sought documents showing steps Roblox takes to prevent children from exposure to mature content, communications with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children relating to Florida users, and reports of abuse from Florida users.[19] On October 20, 2025, Uthmeier escalated the investigation by issuing criminal subpoenas to Roblox, stating that "multiple investigations have revealed that sexual predators are using Roblox to access, communicate with, and groom minors."[20][21] Roblox stated it would "continue to assist his office in their investigations" and that it has "a strong record of working with law enforcement."[21]

In June 2025, Uthmeier was held in contempt of court by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams for continuing to enforce a Florida immigration law that the judge had blocked in a previous ruling, which Uthmeier had directed state law enforcement to ignore and then discussed in media interviews.[22] Uthmeier stated "If being held in contempt is what it costs to... stand firmly behind President Trump's agenda on illegal immigration, so be it."[23]

In late June 2025, Uthmeier announced his proposal to construct Alligator Alcatraz, an immigration detention facility to be located within the Everglades. The facility is located at the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport inside Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Florida.[24] Governor DeSantis mobilized construction on June 21, and the facility was officially opened on July 1. President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and other state leaders attended the opening ceremony. Trump praised the new compound, saying, "It might be as good as the real Alcatraz."[25] In December 2025, Uthmeier praised President Trump for vetoing bipartisan legislation to provide flood protection in areas near the Miccosukee Tribe because the tribe had filed a lawsuit against Alligator Alcatraz.[26][27]

In November 2025, Uthmeier opened an investigation into JPMorgan Chase, alleging the bank coordinated with Special Counsel Jack Smith and terminated Trump Media & Technology Group's accounts "in the shadow of" the Arctic Frost investigation.[28][29] JPMorgan stated the bank "follows the law in responding to subpoenas."[29]

Hope Florida Foundation scandal

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Main article: Hope Florida scandal

During the 2025 legislative session, Uthmeier was involved in a controversy surrounding the transfer of $10,000,000 from a Medicaid settlement to a political committee he controlled. In September 2024, Florida reached a $67 million settlement with Centene Corporation for Medicaid overbilling. Under the agreement, $10 million was directed to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit affiliated with First Lady Casey DeSantis.[30] The Foundation transferred $5 million each to two nonprofit organizations, Secure Florida's Future and Save Our Society from Drugs, which then donated $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee chaired by Uthmeier that campaigned against Amendment 3, the recreational marijuana ballot initiative.[30]

State Representative Alex Andrade, who chaired the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee investigation, accused Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron, the Foundation's outside counsel, of engaging in "a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud" and "misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds."[31] Uthmeier denied wrongdoing, stating he "wasn't part of securing the deal" and that "everything looks legal."[31] He described the $10 million as a "sweetener" voluntarily added by Centene on top of the $57 million settlement amount owed to the state, arguing that donations to a 501(c)(3) entity "is not state dollars, that is not Medicaid dollars."[32][33]

In May 2025, Uthmeier dismissed the allegations as a "smear campaign" and said government officials have "a right, maybe even a duty, to protect the state" by fighting ballot initiatives.[34] Governor DeSantis called the investigation a "smear" and suggested critics "view it as a way to attack the first lady," whom he said some view "as a threat."[30]

On May 20, 2025, a criminal investigation into the movement of the funds was announced. [30] In December 2025, Florida's required payment to the federal government indicated the state was including the $10 million in calculating its Medicaid pass-through obligation, contradicting the administration's characterization of the funds as a separate charitable donation. "Not only did we lose $10 million, we are still paying the feds back for it," Andrade said.[35]

References

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  1. ^ Thompson, Jim (September 23, 2021). "Destin native James Uthmeier named new chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis". Northwest Florida Daily News.
  2. ^ "James Uthmeier". Florida Gators.
  3. ^ a b Matat, Stephany; Payne, Kate (February 17, 2025). "Gov. Ron DeSantis' former chief of staff James Uthmeier sworn in as Florida's attorney general". Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  4. ^ Marcos, Cristina (June 25, 2019). "Democrats: Ex-Commerce aide said Ross asked him to examine adding census citizenship question". The Hill. Retrieved December 8, 2025. James Uthmeier, a former senior adviser and counsel to Ross, told the committee during an interview earlier this month...
  5. ^ Allen, Jonathan (August 8, 2023). "Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager as he reboots his presidential bid". NBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Gov. Ron DeSantis' Former Chief of Staff James Uthmeier Sworn in as Florida's Attorney General". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. February 17, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  7. ^ Downey, Renzo (September 23, 2021). "James Uthmeier named Ron DeSantis' next Chief of Staff". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  8. ^ "Who is James Uthmeier? Gov. DeSantis appoints new Florida attorney general". CBS News. February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  9. ^ Nehamas, Nicholas; Goldmacher, Shane; Haberman, Maggie (August 8, 2023). "DeSantis Replaces Campaign Manager in Major Shake-Up". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  10. ^ Ogles, Jacob (January 16, 2025). "Gov. DeSantis names Ashley Moody to succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  11. ^ Gancarski, A.G. (January 16, 2025). "Gov. DeSantis says James Uthmeier will be next Attorney General". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  12. ^ Rohrer, Gray (February 17, 2025). "James Uthmeier sworn in as Florida attorney general in Tallahassee ceremony". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  13. ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 25, 2025). "James Uthmeier officially files for full term as Attorney General". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  14. ^ @AGJamesUthmeier (February 26, 2025). "Earlier today, I announced the new seal for the Office of the Attorney General" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ Rosica, Jim (March 4, 2025). "Florida attorney general confirms criminal probe into Tate brothers' visit to state". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  16. ^ Habeshian, Sareen (March 4, 2025). "Florida AG launches criminal investigation into Tate brothers". Axios. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Fields, Ashleigh (March 7, 2025). "Florida AG will continue Tate brother investigation, despite their departure". The Hill. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  18. ^ Gancarski, A.G. (March 13, 2025). "'Arrest me': Andrew Tate taunts silent Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Lemongello, Steven (April 16, 2025). "James Uthmeier to subpoena Roblox over child safety concerns". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  20. ^ "Attorney General James Uthmeier Issues Criminal Subpoenas to Roblox to Protect Children from Predators". My Florida Legal. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Shastri, Jay (October 20, 2025). "Attorney general ups investigation into popular video game 'Roblox'". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Luscombe, Richard (June 18, 2025). "Florida attorney general held in contempt after enforcing blocked immigration law". The Guardian. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  23. ^ Perez, Chris (June 19, 2025). "'Grasping at semantic straws': Judge quotes Humpty Dumpty as she takes state AG to legal woodshed over ignoring immigration arrest block". Law & Crime. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  24. ^ "Florida AG proposes 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center in Everglades". ABC7 Los Angeles. June 29, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  25. ^ "'Alligator Alcatraz' immigrant detention facility opens, with Trump in attendance". NBC News. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  26. ^ Goñi-Lessan, Ana (2025). "Trump vetoes bill that would protect Miccosukee village in Everglades". Tallahassee Democrat.
  27. ^ "Trump vetoes Miccosukee flood protection, citing tribe's opposition to 'Alligator Alcatraz'". News From The States. 2025.
  28. ^ Shepard, Skyler (November 10, 2025). "Florida AG launches investigation into JPMorgan Chase over Trump Media de-banking". WPEC. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Florida AG probes JPMorgan Chase over alleged de-banking of Trump Media". Fox Business. November 10, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c d "Hope Florida: A timeline of how a DeSantis-backed state charity was accused of wrongdoing". WESH. April 28, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Florida lawmakers end investigation of $10 million payment to Hope Florida Foundation". WESH. April 25, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  32. ^ "'Sweetener': James Uthmeier defends legality of $10M of Medicaid money sent to Hope Florida". Florida Politics. April 22, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  33. ^ "DeSantis: Report that says $10M donation to Hope Florida came from Medicaid settlement was 'fabricated'". News4Jax. April 23, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  34. ^ "James Uthmeier says he had a 'duty' to use Hope Florida Foundation cash to snuff out pot amendment". Florida Politics. May 28, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  35. ^ "State's federal Medicaid payment undermines DeSantis claim about Hope Florida donation". Orlando Sentinel. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.