Attorney General James Uthmeier reports record year of achievements for the safety and well being of Floridians

Tallahassee, Florida – Under the leadership of Attorney General James Uthmeier, Florida witnessed a transformative year in law enforcement, consumer protection, and public safety, setting a new benchmark for state leadership. Uthmeier’s office, which has focused on making Florida the safest and most family-friendly state in the nation, reported historic accomplishments across a broad spectrum of initiatives aimed at protecting citizens, children, seniors, and businesses.

“The accomplishments this office achieved this year are ones for the record book, and Floridians can see that we are setting the national standard,” Uthmeier said. “We’ve locked up more dangerous criminals than ever before, rescued hundreds of missing children, and secured hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of Florida consumers. This is only the beginning, and our office will continue fighting every day to make this the safest place to raise a family.”

Keeping Florida Safe

A cornerstone of Uthmeier’s administration has been standing alongside law enforcement agencies to combat crime and protect residents. The office has tackled criminal networks threatening Floridians, apprehended and detained record numbers of illegal aliens, and partnered with federal authorities to ensure community safety. A state program was also launched in collaboration with the Florida Highway Patrol to protect federal officers and their families from doxing and other malicious attacks, reflecting the office’s commitment to the safety of those who protect the public.

In June, the Attorney General unveiled Alligator Alcatraz, a one-stop initiative to enforce immigration laws in Florida. The program faced legal challenges but ultimately remained operational after Uthmeier successfully defended it in court. In response to a tragic trucking accident caused by a criminal illegal alien, Uthmeier successfully lobbied federal authorities to revoke commercial driver’s license (CDL) program authority from California and Washington and filed lawsuits against both states for their sanctuary policies.

Child safety has remained a top priority. Since February, more than 1,200 child predators were arrested, while over 300 missing and endangered children were rescued through operations including Dragon Eye and Home for the Holidays. Additionally, surprise inspections at three state prisons uncovered contraband used to target seniors with fraudulent schemes, resulting in the confiscation of numerous electronic devices and accessories. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit also earned law enforcement accreditation for its work investigating and prosecuting fraud, neglect, and abuse in the Medicaid program.

Public health initiatives have included regulating the kratom derivative 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I controlled substance due to its high risk of addiction and overdose. Tens of thousands of illegal 7-OH products were seized statewide. Uthmeier also filed lawsuits against Planned Parenthood, challenging the marketing of chemical abortion drugs, and joined federal litigation to remove mifepristone from the market. Another landmark action included filing a lawsuit against medical organizations promoting unproven gender-affirming care for children, highlighting the office’s commitment to evidence-based medical oversight.

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The office also secured a $79 million settlement with JUUL Labs, with $30 million funding the Vape Free Florida Fund, aiming to reduce youth nicotine use and hold companies accountable for marketing to minors.

Keeping Florida Strong

Uthmeier’s administration has aggressively protected parental rights. The Office of Parental Rights (OPR) ensures parents have decision-making authority over their children’s education, including challenging school boards over inappropriate library content or unlawful practices at county-run camps. Efforts also extended to allowing student organizations, such as Turning Point USA, to operate without political discrimination. The office continues to enforce Florida law regarding the distribution of pornography and works to protect children from explicit content.

Business protection has been another priority. Uthmeier convened a Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force, combating organized retail theft and securing over $5.3 million in restitution and more than 130 years of prison sentences for offenders. Investigations also targeted companies with ties to foreign adversaries, including technology firms such as TP-Link, Contec, and Lorex, ensuring compliance with consumer protection and cybersecurity laws.

Keeping Florida Free

Uthmeier has challenged corporate America and Big Tech on multiple fronts. Lawsuits were filed against Target Corporation, Starbucks, Snap Inc., Roblox, and Roku Inc. for deceptive practices, unsafe content exposure to minors, and misuse of personal data. Additional legal action targeted Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass Lewis, and Microsoft for ideological influence or discriminatory practices, while the American Bar Association was called out for violating First Amendment rights.

To address violent extremism, the office launched the Combat Violent Extremism Portal, allowing citizens to report politically motivated threats anonymously, reinforcing the state’s commitment to safety and accountability.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Attorney General Uthmeier plans to continue advancing systemic reforms in 2026. Proposed legislation includes Missy’s Law, which limits judicial discretion in bond decisions for dangerous criminals, and the Florida Insanity Defense & Mental Health Accountability Act, tightening standards for criminal responsibility. Emergency rules to regulate 7-hydroxymitragynine and reclassify xylazine have been proposed, along with a Special Retirement Class for Prosecutors, recognizing the risks and dedication of state attorneys. Additionally, the Protecting Kids from Predators Pursuing Parenthood Act aims to prevent registered offenders from obtaining children through adoption or surrogacy.

Under Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has set an aggressive course for safety, strength, and freedom, emphasizing law enforcement, parental rights, public health, business protection, and accountability for corporate and foreign entities. The record-setting year reflects a broad, multifaceted approach to governance and public safety, promising continued focus on the welfare of Floridians in the years ahead.

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The efforts spearheaded by Uthmeier illustrate a proactive and expansive vision for the state, reinforcing Florida as a model of enforcement, public protection, and legislative innovation. By combining legal action, policy initiatives, and collaboration with law enforcement, the Attorney General has positioned his office as a national example of accountability, leadership, and protection for citizens of all ages, setting a foundation for ongoing reforms and safety initiatives in 2026 and beyond.

This year’s achievements underscore the Attorney General’s commitment to ensuring Florida remains a safe, strong, and free state for its residents, highlighting measurable impacts in criminal justice, child protection, public health, business accountability, and parental rights, and demonstrating a continued dedication to upholding the principles of law, order, and civic responsibility.