Rep. Jimmy Patronis Talks Military Missions, Offshore Drilling Fight, Epstein Files Vote, and New Constituent Help Portal in Newsradio 92.3 Interview

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Northwest Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis covered a wide range of military, political, and local issues during an extended conversation on Pensacola’s Morning News with Andrew McKay this week, including the relocation of the 492nd Special Operations Wing, new offshore drilling plans in the Gulf, the congressional battle over releasing Epstein-related documents, and a new website aimed at helping constituents get assistance from his office.

Military Mission Move: Patronis Still Fighting Relocation of 492nd Special Operations Wing

Patronis said he is “going down swinging” in his effort to stop the planned relocation of the 492nd Special Operations Wing from Hurlburt Field to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona — a move originally initiated in 2023.

The congressman acknowledged that some Air Force arguments for the shift “hold water,” but said the overall reasoning remains unclear and appears politically influenced.

“There’s never been a movement of a mission in the history of the military that wasn’t political,” Patronis said.

Patronis argued that the quality of life for more than 700 families affected would be dramatically lower in the desert compared to Northwest Florida. He also noted global instability in Venezuela, South America, and Central America as a reason the aircraft involved — particularly the U-28A Draco (“the crop duster platform”) — might be better kept closer to the region.

He said he has personally spoken with top Pentagon leaders, including the Secretary of the Air Force, but the final decision remains uncertain.

Offshore Drilling Proposal Sparks Bipartisan Alarm

Patronis also voiced strong opposition to new federal plans for expanded offshore oil leasing in the Gulf of Mexico — plans that now cover up to one-third to one-half of the Eastern Gulf Test Range, a military training zone critical to Eglin AFB and U.S. weapons development.

He said the Department of the Interior recently released an updated map that dramatically enlarges the potential drilling area, raising concerns among local military, environmental, and tourism stakeholders.

Patronis said the situation has become complicated because many missions in the test range take place underwater, but cannot be publicly acknowledged due to classification.

“We don’t want drilling because it threatens the test range — but we can’t publicly say what’s happening under the water,” he explained.

Local governments are already responding. Okaloosa County has passed a resolution opposing the drilling plan, and Escambia County is preparing one. Patronis said his office will publish a public comment link so residents can weigh in.

Epstein Files Vote: Patronis Says Congress Needed to “Get Back to Work”

Patronis addressed the unusual bipartisan pressure campaign that ended with Congress passing — almost unanimously — legislation to release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

He said Speaker Mike Johnson was initially worried about poorly written language that could expose victims who did not want their identities made public. Patronis emphasized that protecting victims was a legitimate concern, but the political standoff was paralyzing Congress.

“I’ve said for months — release the files. I just want to get back to work,” Patronis said.

He believes former President Trump eventually supported release for the same reason: the fight was overshadowing all other legislative priorities.

Trump’s “Seditious” Comment on Military Video

Patronis also reacted to President Trump calling a Democratic video about “disobeying illegal orders” seditious and treasonous. He noted that Trump often responds emotionally in real time but said the White House has since walked the comments back.

“The president doesn’t have a filter, and sometimes that lack of a filter leads to statements people have to clean up after,” Patronis said.

Johnson Beach Transfer Idea on Patronis’ Radar

Patronis confirmed that Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler has reached out to him with a list of issues to discuss — and that a proposal to transfer Johnson Beach from the federal government to the county is likely among them.

He said he hasn’t yet discussed that specific request with Kohler but expects it to come up soon.

House Pushes Back on Senate “Phone Records” Provision

Patronis also addressed House efforts to remove a controversial Senate provision that would have allowed federal officials to request $500,000 worth of phone call records. He said the House unanimously passed legislation overturning it — the first unanimous vote he has seen in Congress.

“It caught everybody by surprise,” he said, adding that he expects the Senate will eventually agree to roll it back.

Patronis Promotes New Help Website: JimmyHelpsYou.com

At the end of the interview, Patronis highlighted a new constituent-assistance website: JimmyHelpsYou.com, which redirects to his congressional portal and is designed to make it easier for residents to get help with:

• Federal agency problems

• VA claims

• Social Security issues

• Insurance or disaster-related concerns

• Fraud or contractor complaints

• General casework needs

“Just reach out and let us help you with situational issues,” Patronis said.

You can listen to the interview on our Podcasts page, or by clicking here.