Florida’s top emergency management official, Kevin Guthrie, is pushing back against what he describes as politically motivated outrage over the state’s new migrant detention facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” In an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, Guthrie criticized some Democratic lawmakers who toured the facility over the weekend, claiming they were more interested in creating drama than conducting a serious assessment.

Guthrie recalled one instance in which a lawmaker pointed an infrared thermometer at a light bulb, falsely suggesting dangerously high temperatures. He also addressed criticism about the toilet setup, explaining that the facility uses standard, secure systems commonly found in other detention centers. Responding to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s remark that a turkey sandwich looked “gray,” Guthrie pointed out she hadn’t opened the wrapper and questioned how she could judge its appearance from several feet away.

According to Guthrie, the outrage is not truly about facility conditions but about Democrats’ resistance to strict immigration enforcement. “If you break federal immigration law — and especially if you commit a violent crime — you’re not getting a resort stay,” he said. “You’re getting a cell. It’s not supposed to be comfortable.”

Meanwhile, five Democratic state lawmakers have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and Guthrie, claiming they were unlawfully denied access to the facility. They argue the decision obstructs legislative oversight and reflects executive overreach. DeSantis’s office dismissed the suit as “frivolous.”

Despite the controversy, the DeSantis administration is promoting the facility as a model for Republican-led states. Supporters see it as a necessary tool for enforcing immigration laws, while critics warn of inadequate transparency and questionable treatment of detainees.