It started with a Facebook post. In the quiet, tree-lined village of Palmetto Bay, Florida, things don’t usually get this heated. But when Councilman Steve Cody decided to weigh in on the death of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, the local peace didn’t just crack—it shattered.
Honestly, the whole situation is a masterclass in how quickly a digital "hot take" can become a political wildfire. We're talking about a suburban councilman finding himself in the crosshairs of the Florida Attorney General, the Governor, and a room full of screaming constituents.
The Post That Started the Fire
Let’s look at the facts. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk—the founder of Turning Point USA—was assassinated during a rally at Utah Valley University. It was a shocking event that sent ripples across the country.
A few hours later, Steve Cody, a District 2 Councilman and Democrat, took to his personal Facebook page. He didn't post a "rest in peace" or even a neutral news link. Instead, he shared a meme featuring a 2023 quote from Kirk about the Second Amendment. In that older clip, Kirk had argued that some gun deaths were a "worthwhile cost" to protect the right to bear arms.
Cody added his own caption: “Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our Lords: Smith & Wesson. Hallowed be their names.”
Yeah. He went there.
He was trying to point out what he saw as a dark irony. Kirk, a staunch gun rights advocate, had been killed by the very tool he defended. But the "fitting sacrifice" wording? That felt like a gut punch to Kirk's family, his supporters, and basically anyone who thinks mocking a murder is a bridge too far.
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The Village Hall Meltdown
If Cody thought his comments would stay within his circle of Facebook friends, he was dead wrong. Within 24 hours, the post was everywhere.
By the time the next Palmetto Bay council meeting rolled around, the atmosphere wasn't just tense; it was electric. Usually, these meetings are about zoning permits or park upgrades. This time? Standing room only. People were lining up at the microphone, some in tears, some visibly shaking with rage.
One resident, Lisa Merkin, told the council she was getting calls from friends as far away as Boston asking, "What is going on in your community? Who is this guy?"
The consensus from the crowd was loud and clear: Resign.
The Political Heavyweights Step In
It didn't take long for the big guns in Florida politics to notice. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X (formerly Twitter) that if the post was real, Cody needed to step down immediately.
Then came the calls from:
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- Mayor Karyn Cunningham: A Republican who called the comments "horrific" and "egregious."
- Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer: Interestingly, Merwitzer is a Democrat like Cody, but he didn't hold back. He called the post "disgusting" and "vile."
- U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez: He went straight to the top, asking Governor Ron DeSantis to remove Cody from office.
The council eventually held a formal vote. It was 4-1. The motion? To censure Cody and officially request his resignation. The only "no" vote came from Cody himself.
Why Cody Says He’s Not Going Anywhere
So, why is he still in his seat?
Cody did apologize. He deleted the post and wrote a long follow-up titled "I screwed up." He admitted he made a "significant error in judgment" and that his words were born out of "deep anger and frustration with the tragedy of gun violence."
But—and this is a big but—he refuses to quit.
His argument is basically this: it was a personal post, not a statement of village policy. He's also leaning hard on the First Amendment. He told the New York Times that he finds it "disturbing" that the government is trying to fire people for saying things that "upset someone."
"I was elected to serve until 2028," he told reporters. "And I'm going to be serving until that time."
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The "Removal" Problem
Here is where the legal weeds get thick. Can the village actually fire him?
The short answer is no. The Palmetto Bay Village Council doesn't have the legal authority to kick out one of its own members just because they said something offensive. That power lies with Governor Ron DeSantis.
Under the Florida Constitution, the Governor can suspend a local official for "malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony."
The debate now is whether a "vile" Facebook post counts as malfeasance. Some legal experts say the First Amendment protects him from being removed for speech alone. Others, like Vice Mayor Merwitzer, argue that Cody has a "long history" of bullying residents and that the Kirk comments are just the tip of the iceberg.
What This Means for You
This isn't just a story about one guy in a small Florida town. It's a snapshot of where we are as a country in 2026. Everything is a lightning rod.
If you're following this story, there are a few things to keep an eye on:
- The Governor’s Pen: Watch if DeSantis actually signs a suspension order. If he does, it will almost certainly trigger a massive First Amendment lawsuit.
- The Budget Stalemate: Vice Mayor Merwitzer has threatened to halt all village business until Cody is gone. This could actually impact the day-to-day lives of Palmetto Bay residents—think trash pickup, police funding, and road repairs.
- The Precedent: If Cody is removed, what does that mean for other elected officials who post controversial things? It’s a slippery slope that both sides are worried about.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the Fallout
If you live in South Florida or just follow political ethics, here is how to stay informed and involved:
- Check the Village Charter: If you're a resident, look at the specific rules for recall elections. In many Florida municipalities, citizens can start a petition to remove an official if they gather enough signatures.
- Monitor the Governor's Executive Orders: The Florida Governor's office publishes all suspensions online. This is where the final word will likely come from.
- Separate Speech from Conduct: When discussing this with others, try to distinguish between whether Cody should resign (a moral/political question) and whether he can be forced to resign (a legal question).
- Attend Local Meetings: If you want your voice heard, the public comment section of a council meeting is the most direct way to influence local leaders, as evidenced by the packed room in Palmetto Bay.
The situation is still developing, and Cody seems dug in for a long fight. Whether you see him as a victim of "cancel culture" or a "public pariah" who crossed a moral line, the fallout in Palmetto Bay is far from over.