evidence: Last week, Orlando-area Florida state Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Republican, introduced a bill that would require "bloggers" who publish posts about the state’s officials—including its governor, Ron DeSantis—to register and file ongoing reports with the Florida government. Requiring writers to register with the state is a concept with totalitarian overtones, and the proposal was met with outraged criticism that often made reference to Florida Republicans’ enthusiasm for other strongman-style tactics like seizing control over the curriculum of the New College of Florida and accusing critics (including the Disney corporation) of contributing to the sexual abuse of minors. [...] In any case, the "blogger" bill was criticized by free-speech advocacy groups and political figures on both the right and left, and DeSantis—though he’s called for changes to libel laws like the ones Brodeur has proposed—said at a press conference Tuesday that he does not support it. "Every person in the legislature can file bills. I see these people filing bills and there are these articles with my face on the article saying that bloggers are going to have to register with the state and they’re attributing it to me," he complained. "That’s not anything I’ve ever supported."