Palm Bay, FL — A packed and emotionally charged Palm Bay City Council meeting on Thursday night became a flashpoint for the community after Councilman Chandler Langevin refused to resign following widespread outrage over his racist and xenophobic remarks targeting Indian Americans, including a social media post that read “Deport every Indian immediately.”
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The meeting, which stretched for nearly five hours, featured powerful testimony from residents, community leaders, business owners, medical professionals, and political figures. Council members ultimately voted 4–1 to censure Langevin, send a formal letter to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting his suspension, and direct the city attorney to prepare a formal ethics complaint under Florida Statute Chapter 112.
Langevin Doubles Down: “I’m Not Resigning”
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Before the vote, Langevin was given the opportunity to respond to his colleagues and the Indian-American community in attendance. He opened with defiance.
“Quite frankly, Councilman Johnson, I’m not here to ask for your grace. As far as resigning, I’m not resigning. You can vote for the letter tonight. Hope you do. It’s going to be worthless. I’m going to be here for another three years. Get used to it.”
He went on to say he deliberately posts controversial content to “piss people off” and provoke debate.
“X and other social media platforms are the public square now… If we’re not willing to push the envelope, if we’re not willing to even have coarse and rigid conversation about controversial issues, then what are we doing?”
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While he acknowledged his comments could have been “misconstrued,” he stopped short of any public apology. He said any apology would be made privately, not in council chambers.
For every lefty looney that came to yell at me tonight there are thousands of normal Americans that live in my City that don’t come to meetings because they know I will represent them. https://t.co/j2qhF7O4pc
Councilman Kenny Johnson, who had moved the motion that set up the discussion, explained his initial intent to give Langevin an opportunity to speak — but followed with a moral and spiritual rebuke.
“Out of the mouth come from the thoughts, and the thoughts come from the heart, and it’s the heart that defileth a man,” Johnson said. “Our external conflict tends to come from internal conflict… Our words have power and dog whistling is not accepted.”
Johnson pointed out that this is not the first time Langevin has targeted a group, referencing earlier comments about Muslims, and emphasized that any apology should be made publicly, not behind closed doors.
“If you’re going to say something publicly, you should apologize publicly. It doesn’t need to be something private,” he said, drawing applause from the packed chamber.
Johnson also revealed he had previously encouraged Langevin to engage with communities he targeted, as he himself did by visiting mosques after earlier controversies.
“I went to the mosques, I sat with them, I broke bread with them, and I encouraged Councilman Chandler to do the same. And here we are again.”
He ended his remarks with a pointed call to action:
“Call Governor DeSantis.”
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe Methodically Lays Out Misconduct
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe delivered the most legally substantive remarks of the night, citing multiple specific violations of both city ordinance and Florida Statutes Chapter 112, Part III — the state’s Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees.
He began by recalling how the uproar began:
“Sunday night… my phone starts blowing up. Out of context, Councilman Chandler Langevin stated, ‘Deport every Indian immediately.’ There’s no mention of visas. With that single post, our city and its residents were thrust into fear and turmoil. And it hasn’t stopped there.”
Jaffe reminded the council that public office is “a privilege,” and that they are held to the highest ethical standards, which Langevin has repeatedly violated.
Key Violations Outlined by Jaffe:
June 8, 2025: Langevin sent an unauthorized letter to Congressman Mike Haridopolos on official Palm Bay letterhead advocating for the release of Robert Rundo — a known far-right extremist.
Jaffe: “This action was taken without council knowledge or consent, and violated Section 8.2K of our Code of Conduct — use of public resources — which is also a violation of Florida Statute 112 Part III.”
September 20, 2025: Langevin orchestrated a “march against left-wing evil” while bypassing the permitting process, forcing city staff and police to scramble at the last minute.
“It cost taxpayers more than $25,000,” Jaffe said. “This is a violation of Section 8.2K1 — use of public resources without proper authorization.”
September 26, 2025 onward: Langevin’s racist social media posts targeted Indian Americans, calling to “Deport every Indian immediately” and claiming “Indians are destroying the South” and “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States.”
Beyond these events, Jaffe cited a broader pattern of misconduct, including:
Harassment
Undermining public confidence
Improper advocacy using his title
Failure to maintain a positive workplace environment
“With a single keystroke, you have destroyed morale among our leadership team and our entire staff,” Jaffe said. “You have undermined hope for any economic development in the City of Palm Bay and have caused residents to question their safety and sense of belonging.”
Jaffe noted that the city’s own ethics code is self-enforcing, meaning there’s little internal recourse if a council member refuses to comply. But he then announced a significant step:
“Fortunately, we have Florida Statute Chapter 112, Part III… So, I move that City Council tonight, in addition to voting to approve sending a letter of suspension to Governor DeSantis, direct the City Attorney to prepare a violation filing under Part III of Chapter 112 of the Florida Statutes. This complaint can be submitted by a resident, a representative, or our state legislator.”
Below is the letter I sent today to @GovRonDeSantis, requesting that he immediately suspend Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin from office. pic.twitter.com/UXBl7BWV8H
Councilman Mike Hammer: “Words Have Done Harm to Our Future”
Councilman Mike Hammer, who emphasized he was largely self-funded and not politically beholden to any donor group, gave a measured but firm statement balancing free speech and civic responsibility.
“The First Amendment protects free speech, even when it’s offensive or painful. I will always defend that right. But my duty doesn’t end there. My duty is also to listen,” Hammer said. “The words used have deeply hurt many of our neighbors.”
He cited residents who now question whether they belong, and business owners reconsidering investments in Palm Bay.
“Words have power. They shape perceptions, influence decisions, and either unite or divide. These words have done harm to our people, to our reputation, and to our future,” Hammer said.
He ultimately supported both the censure and the suspension letter.
Mayor Medina: “We Will Reject Sentiments That Exclude a Single Member of Our Community”
Mayor Rob Medina opened his remarks by acknowledging Palm Bay’s diversity and setting a tone of inclusion:
“Yom Kippur began last night and continues through this evening. For all my Jewish brothers and sisters, may you be sealed in the book of life for good. I share that because we are a diverse community. Diversity is not based on the color of your skin. Diversity is built on our different cultures, our different lifestyles, and our different ideologies that bring us together.”
Addressing Langevin directly, Medina rejected the councilman’s framing of “Americans vs. immigrants” and called out his narrow view of diversity:
“You have a narrowed view of diversity. You need to understand that many people who look like me don’t think like me. Diversity of thought exists. The idea that people who look alike think alike is a misconception — particularly in this great nation I call the United States of America.”
Medina was unequivocal in condemning Langevin’s statement to “deport every Indian immediately”:
“This isn’t about H1B visas. This is solely about what you wrote and shared — the hateful comment: ‘Deport every Indian immediately.’ There is not a single Indian that doesn’t care about the United States. Indians are not destroying the South. You have shown me who you are, and I have to believe what I see.”
The mayor concluded with a pointed rebuke and a call for accountability:
“Palm Bay continues to grow with uninhibited velocity, and we will reject sentiments that exclude a single member of our community. I love you as a brother, but that comment — it hurts my soul. I hope for one day that you realize your comments and beliefs wounded so many people. In closing, I hope the Governor deports you out of these chambers and out the door.”
Community Leaders Deliver Emotional and Data-Driven Testimony
Dozens of residents and leaders addressed the council, condemning Langevin’s remarks and highlighting the deep contributions of the Indian-American community to Palm Bay, Brevard County, and the nation.
Former Judge Ali Majeed: “Will your legacy be insults and vitriol—or kindness and dignity?”
Former felony prosecutor and 18th Judicial Circuit Judge Ali Majeed addressed the council “as a bridge of peace and reconciliation,” offering Councilman Langevin a moral and spiritual challenge. Quoting scripture and invoking the words of Mother Teresa, he urged Langevin to reflect on how he would be remembered:
“Do you truly wish to enter old age known for insults and unrestrained vitriol? Will your children remember you as a father with a heart as black as coal and a tongue as caustic as acid? Will your words be remembered for human degradation or for kindness and dignity?”
He warned that seeking higher office through division comes at a moral cost:
“You may think that your conduct will get you to higher political office, but are you not mindful of those famous words — what does it beget a man that he shall lose his soul and gain the world?”
Majeed also highlighted the patriotism and contributions of Indian Americans, citing three nephews who served in the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marines, and referencing Indian innovators:
“Did you just Google me? Sundar Pichai. Did you just check the time? Arabic numerals. Did you just access Microsoft? Satya Nadella. Do you have Bose earphones? Amar Bose.”
He concluded with a personal appeal:
“Your mother did not carry you for nine months to give birth to a son with vitriol in his veins and hatred in his heart. Why don’t you make your mother proud? Why don’t you stop embarrassing your children… your lovely wife?”
He ended with blessings from multiple faiths — “assalamu alaykum,” “namaste” — and a call to decency.
Henry Patel: “Our contributions are second to none.”
Henry Patel, a Miami resident and hotel industry leader, traveled to Palm Bay to speak after learning of Langevin’s remarks. A proud immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 38 years, Patel delivered a passionate, data-driven defense of his community’s contributions to Florida’s economy and society:
“As an immigrant myself… I take pride in the country I adopted as my motherland. Maybe it’s time we communicate better, but our contributions are second to none. We are the highest taxpaying, law-abiding, well-educated, noncriminal, nonviolent, and very passive and docile people.”
Patel outlined the economic impact of Indian Americans in Florida’s hospitality sector:
Indian Americans own 64.8% of the hotel industry in Florida
They have created 459,000 jobs statewide, with 263,000 direct jobs
They pay $1.43 billion annually in state taxes
Total wages: $23.4 billion annually
He also shared the community’s patriotic initiatives:
“Post 9/11, as part of the largest hotel association, we launched a program called Salute to Soldiers. We donated nearly 96,000 room nights to active-duty military personnel. We know our duty to our adopted motherland and we take it very, very passionately.”
Patel concluded with a lesson from Mahatma Gandhi — and a pointed reminder that October 2 was both Gandhi’s birthday and Councilman Langevin’s:
“An eye for an eye is going to make the world blind.”
Barak Patel: “These comments echo some of history’s darkest rhetoric.”
Barak Patel, past chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), also addressed the council. AAHOA represents more than 20,000 hotel owners nationwide, including thousands of Indian Americans in Florida. He emphasized the national scope of the backlash to Langevin’s remarks and called them what they are — unacceptable and dangerous.
“The recent comments are unacceptable and divisive. They have no place in Palm Bay or anywhere in America. Calls to cease Indian migration or deport every Indian immediately are not only factually wrong, they echo some of history’s darkest rhetoric.”
Patel described Indian Americans as “proud citizens and neighbors who embody the very best of American values — hard work, family, entrepreneurship, and community service.” He highlighted their roles as small business owners, medical professionals, veterans, engineers, teachers, and community leaders.
“America’s strength has always come from its rich background, and attempts to demean, devalue or exclude entire communities based upon their heritage go against the very principles of our nation.”
He also shared that AAHOA’s current board includes a U.S. Navy corpsman who served in the Gulf War, underscoring the community’s deep patriotic ties.
Patel urged the council to take decisive action:
“Those comments are divisive. It breaks the public trust and endangers public safety. I’m not best at quoting scripture, but it comes down to — am I my brother’s keeper? And so I ask you to do the right thing.”
Prashant Patel: “We stand here as Americans defending the very foundation of American society.”
Prashant Patel, President of the Indian American Business Association Chamber (IBA), spoke on behalf of business owners, professionals, and community members who contribute daily to the Palm Bay and Brevard County economy.
He framed the issue not only as one of dignity but also of economic importance and civic responsibility:
“We stand here before you as Americans defending the very foundation of American society. We are here to clearly assert who we are and how we are irrevocably part of this society. The recent rhetoric is a direct attack on our dignity, and a zeal of appearing in the good books of some narrow-minded individuals takes a toll on the principles of coexistence and diversity.”
Patel described the rhetoric as creating “an entropy — a destructive drain that pulls focus away from serious business of economic upliftment,” emphasizing that the Indian-American community is a stabilizing force for public revenue.
He noted that while Indian Americans make up just 1.5% of the U.S. population, they pay 5–6% of all U.S. income taxes, significantly sustaining public services in Palm Bay, Brevard County, and across the nation. Nearly half of Indian immigrants hold advanced degrees, providing vital talent in technology, engineering, and life sciences. Florida, he added, is one of the top three destination states for Indian immigrant doctors — many of whom serve the local community.
Patel concluded with a call to action:
“We formally urge this council to take necessary corrective action to restore civic principle and protect the business environment of every resident. Your action must demonstrate that you stand with all who contribute to the city and the nation. We ask you to demonstrate that Palm Bay is a city where coexistence leads to contribution. Let us work together and contribute together to make America the greatest country on earth.”
U.S. Senate Candidate Jennifer Jenkins: “Standing up against hate shouldn’t be transactional. It should be a moral obligation.”
Jennifer Jenkins, a U.S. Senate candidate and current Brevard County School Board member, delivered one of the evening’s most forceful statements, framing Councilman Chandler Langevin’s remarks as part of a broader pattern of extremist behavior that has gone unchallenged for too long.
“I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of extremism. So, trust me, I’ve heard a lot. But your councilman shocked me. He shocked all of us… Those were intentional, divisive, racist, white supremacist comments from your councilman.”
Jenkins addressed the Indian-American community directly, affirming their place as integral members of Florida’s social fabric:
“To the Indian-American community that is here today and all across Florida, you are our neighbors. You are our friends. And to my beautiful godson, you are part of this country. And we are proud that you are here.”
She then drew attention to Langevin’s public praise of Confederate heritage, calling out the symbolism behind it:
“Councilman, you brag about a proud Confederate heritage. Well, the Confederacy was a racist rebellion that lost. White supremacy lost, too. So, when you cling to that heritage, you’re not showing strength. You’re showing loyalty to failure.”
Jenkins didn’t limit her criticism to Langevin alone — she challenged other Palm Bay officials and leaders for their previous silence:
“Silence when he marched against what he called leftwing evil. Silence when he targeted Muslims in your community. And silence today when he told a black representative he will name Confederate monuments after her. But suddenly some of you have found your voice. I hope the leaders are not speaking out today because they’ve been asked to do so by the ones that have supported them in the past.”
She made a clear distinction between “moral courage and political calculation,” urging leaders to act out of principle, not pressure:
“Real leaders don’t wait to see who their donors are. They stand up the moment that they see hate because leadership isn’t about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting the people that you serve.”
Jenkins closed with a scathing rebuke of Langevin’s hypocrisy:
“Chandler, you are all for open carry. Here’s a recommendation: Maybe you should stop carrying around your hate, your racism, and your white supremacy.”
There's no place for this kind of hate in Florida.
As Governor and now as U.S. Senator, I’ve been proud to stand with our state’s incredible Indian American community, who are proud Americans and value the ideas that make our country great.https://t.co/lQHxhCTvIG
Dr. Hosking, who treats 6,000 Brevard children annually, described the pain and fear Langevin’s remarks caused immigrant families:
“This is not about political correctness. This is about the core American values of dignity, equality, and respect… How do we explain to our children that a city leader wants them gone just because of where their parents were born?”
Amar Patel – Nonprofit Executive
Amar Patel, CEO of BAC, which employs hundreds of people with disabilities, connected Langevin’s words to the real-world harm inflicted on children:
“The words you used put my children and other children of color in harm, and that is unacceptable as an elected official. Service comes in many forms. We are all part of the fabric of this community.”
A Handful of Supporters Defend Langevin
While the vast majority of speakers condemned Langevin, a handful of supporters spoke in his defense, largely framing his remarks as protected political speech.
Dr. Rick Adante, reportedly a recently fired Florida Tech neuroscientist, said he “never heard hate” in Langevin’s comments and compared the crowd’s reaction to the biblical story of Barabbas. He characterized the remarks as “political speech by a politician on a political topic” that should be “wildly protected” under the First Amendment.
Palm Bay Resident John Norris speaks in support of Langevin
John Norris spoke in support of Langevin and accused the council of being corrupt for accepting money from the Indian community. Chandler raised his hand when asked by Norris who has never taken a dime from the “Indian Lobby.” However, campaign finance records reveal that Chandler did take $1,000 during his campaign from the Pineda Inn owned by Mike Shah.
Council Takes Action
After hours of testimony, the council voted 4–1 to:
Send a formal letter to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting Langevin’s suspension under Florida Statute 112.51,
Censure Langevin and remove him from any boards representing the city,
Direct the city attorney to prepare an ethics complaint to be filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics via Senator Debbie Mayfield’s office.
Langevin cast the lone dissenting vote.
The motion passed 4-1 as expected.
The Governor will get a letter to remove me from office for mean tweets and I will frame it and put it right next to Debbie’s. https://t.co/QWJKUGnSYi
Langevin’s refusal to resign sets up a potential battle at the state level. The Governor’s office will now review the city’s suspension request. If the Florida Commission on Ethics finds probable cause, he could face civil penalties up to $20,000 or removal from office.
Meanwhile, Langevin’s comments have resulted personally in him being removed from the board of directors of Odyssey Charter Schools, terminated by his employer Smith Surveying, an investigation into his conduct as a student at Eastern Florida State College, and it being revealed that he never re-joined the Navy as he claimed recently according to the Navy itself.
A City at a Crossroads
The meeting revealed a Palm Bay community both deeply wounded and galvanized. Indian-American residents — long pillars of the city’s medical, business, and nonprofit sectors — spoke with clarity and unity about their role in the fabric of American life.
For many, this moment is about more than one councilman’s tweet; it’s about whether their city will live up to the ideals it claims to uphold.
