Florida's hottest political scandal just crashed into a brick wall.
Democrats and the media spent months building their case against Ron DeSantis and his wife.
Florida’s Attorney General called Trump’s DOJ this one word that left Democrats fuming.
The "Nothing Burger" That Won't Go Away
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier walked into a press conference Wednesday morning and dropped a phrase that instantly ignited a political firestorm.
"Nothing burger."
That's what Uthmeier called the federal investigation into Hope Florida after Trump's Department of Justice reportedly ended the probe.
Governor Ron DeSantis piled on with his own declaration on X.
"Another hoax bites the dust," DeSantis wrote.
https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/2019042587701858353?s=20
The investigation centered on $10 million from a Medicaid settlement that ended up at Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida Foundation before being diverted to groups fighting the 2024 marijuana legalization amendment.
Anonymous Source Sparks Victory Lap
The Trump Administration's DOJ reportedly killed the investigation based on information from an anonymous source.
That source told The Floridian there was "no predicate to open up an intake" on the case.
"No further action is anticipated on the matter," the source said.
State Representative Alex Andrade led the charge demanding federal investigation after his House committee probe hit roadblocks.
Andrade accused Uthmeier of "conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud" for allegedly directing Medicaid funds through Hope Florida to his political committee Keep Florida Clean.
But Andrade isn't buying the DOJ's alleged decision.
He told reporters he won't believe it's over until the Department of Justice makes an official statement.
"Governor DeSantis a few years back made a big deal about anonymous sources in the news media," Andrade stated. "So for him to jump all over a single anonymous source in this circumstance is a little bizarre."
https://twitter.com/Floridianpress/status/2019034224318451752?s=20
The Money Trail That Started It All
The controversy erupted in April 2025 when reporting revealed how $10 million moved from a $67 million Medicaid settlement with Centene Corporation.
The money went to Hope Florida Foundation.
Hope Florida then gave two nonprofits $5 million each.
Those groups transferred $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean.
Uthmeier chaired Keep Florida Clean while serving as DeSantis' Chief of Staff.
The political committee fought Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana.
The amendment failed despite getting 57% of the vote because Florida requires 60% approval.
Uthmeier defended the arrangement at his press conference.
"The state took a policy position to oppose recreational marijuana use and the state was victorious," Uthmeier said. "We protected the state from potential harm to the criminal justice system and healthcare."
He blamed Andrade for the entire controversy.
"At the end of the day, you had a complaint by a legislator with nefarious motives," Uthmeier stated.
State Grand Jury Still Active
The federal investigation ending doesn't close the book on Hope Florida.
A state grand jury in Tallahassee continues investigating the case.
Uthmeier refused to discuss that probe.
"There is still a grand jury in Florida looking into the case," Uthmeier acknowledged. "I would defer to prosecutors for further comment on that end."
https://twitter.com/ChristinaPushaw/status/2019040647982764142?s=20
State Attorney Jack Campbell of the Second Judicial Circuit opened the criminal investigation in May 2025 after Andrade forwarded his committee's findings.
That grand jury subpoenaed witnesses in October 2025.
Multiple current and former DeSantis administration officials testified about the Medicaid settlement.
Political Fallout Continues
The Hope Florida scandal torpedoed Casey DeSantis' 2026 gubernatorial ambitions.
The First Lady was strongly considering a run to succeed her term-limited husband.
President Trump had already endorsed Representative Byron Donalds in February 2025.
But the federal investigation into Hope Florida killed whatever momentum Casey DeSantis had.
Now that Trump's DOJ reportedly dropped the case, speculation is building about whether she'll jump into the race.
Jeremy Redfern, Uthmeier's deputy chief of staff, took shots at Andrade in his statement celebrating the DOJ decision.
"As we've said since this beginning, a back-bench state representative started a hoax investigation into Hope Florida for political reasons," Redfern said. "Ever since Amendment 3 & 4 failed, Rep. Andrade has filed legislation on behalf of Big Marijuana Corporations, and his law firm is now defending Planned Parenthood against the people of Florida."
https://twitter.com/JeremyRedfernFL/status/2019056084611113020?s=20
Uthmeier escalated his feud with Andrade on Monday by demanding his removal as chairman of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee.
The Attorney General announced he won't cooperate with that committee as long as Andrade remains in charge.
Andrade fired back that he's working on legislation to prevent future administrations from diverting settlement money to third parties.
The tension between these two Republicans shows no signs of cooling down even if the federal investigation is dead.
And Andrade made clear he's not backing down regardless of what Trump's DOJ decides.
"The facts haven't changed," Andrade said Wednesday. "Ten million dollars went from our Medicaid program to James Uthmeier's political committee. They were spent improperly."
Sources:
- Sophie Pendrill, "AG slams Hope Florida probe as 'nothing burger' after DOJ allegedly ends investigation," CBS12, February 4, 2026.
- Drew Dixon, "James Uthmeier satisfied with DOJ dismissal of Hope Florida investigation," Florida Politics, February 4, 2026.
- Javier Manjarres, "Trump's DOJ Dismisses Complaint Against Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida and James Uthmeier," The Floridian, February 4, 2026.
- Copeland Welch, "DeSantis claims Hope Florida probe has been dismissed, but Andrade waiting for DOJ word," WEAR News, February 4, 2026.
- Alexandra Glorioso and Lawrence Mower, "DeSantis, citing report with anonymous source, declares victory in Hope Florida scandal," Tampa Bay Times, February 4, 2026.
