Jay Collins, a public official and former U.S. Army Green Beret, shared a series of posts on April 10, 2026, highlighting his engagement with local first responders and veterans in Florida, as well as expressing support for state policy regarding university spending.
In his first post at 16:30 UTC, Collins described his visit to a Hernando County firehouse. He wrote, “Boots down. Engines ready. I got an inside look at the firehouse, the gear, and the response boat in Hernando County that stands between danger and our communities. These men and women don’t hesitate, they answer the call. And we’ll always have their backs.” The visit comes amid ongoing efforts by local officials to recognize the work of emergency services in Florida.
Later that day at 17:45 UTC, Collins addressed the role of veterans in civilian life. He stated, “The special thing about veterans is they don’t stop serving when they take off the uniform. They continue to lead in their communities, help their neighbors, and shape the direction of our state and country. I spoke at the Breaking Bread with Heroes event at the Tampa Bay Wine.” This reflects broader national discussions about veteran reintegration and community leadership.
At 18:15 UTC on April 10th, Collins commented on university funding policies in Florida. He posted, “Public universities can’t spend a dime promoting terrorism or jihad.
That is exactly how it should be.” He added his support for Governor Ron DeSantis’ position by saying he was proud to stand by him as Florida clarifies its legal standards: “Sharia law can never take a foothold in this state.”
Florida has implemented laws restricting public institutions from supporting activities perceived as promoting terrorism or foreign ideologies deemed incompatible with state law. These policies are part of ongoing debates about free speech on campus and security concerns within educational settings.