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FLORIDA - The Florida Republican Party removed a short-lived line of merchandise featuring the phrase “THE DEPORT DEPOT” after Home Depot objected to the unapproved use of its branding.
The items included baseball caps, T-shirts, mugs, and insulated drink sleeves with the phrase displayed in bold stencil font over a bright orange square.
The merchandise was initially promoted on the Florida GOP’s website and social media, but posts on X and Instagram were deleted after the company raised concerns.
Beth Marlowe, a Home Depot spokesperson, said the company does not allow its branding or logo to be used for commercial purposes and had not approved the Florida GOP merchandise.
In response, the Florida GOP stated the items were not affiliated with Home Depot and were intended as “playful commentary” on the state’s planned migrant detention center, referred to by Governor Ron DeSantis as the “Deportation Depot.”
The organization described the products as parodic and protected political speech under the First Amendment.
The merchandise followed DeSantis’ announcement that the Baker Correctional Institution in northern Florida would be converted into a detention center capable of holding 1,300 migrants, at a cost of $6 million.
This comes after the opening of Alligator Alcatraz, a detention facility near Everglades National Park that holds about 1,000 detainees and reportedly cost $450 million.
Reports from detainees and former staff at the Everglades facility cite limited access to fresh water, leaking tents, and swarms of mosquitoes.
Democratic state legislator Anna V. Eskamani said she contacted Home Depot after noticing the merchandise and welcomed its removal, while immigrant rights advocates described the use of facility nicknames as insensitive.
Home Depot confirmed it is not notified of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at its stores and does not participate in them.
Listen to Ryan Gorman and Dana McKay cover this story on The Ryan Gorman Show.