ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida man who became known as “Lectern Guy” over his role in the Jan. 6 protest took to social media on Wednesday to denounce property tax cuts in the state — though perhaps not for the reason some might think.
“Lectern Guy” — real name “Adam Johnson” — earned his moniker after he was seen carrying a lectern belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office at the U.S. Capitol during the riot.
According to CBS News, Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building and was slapped with 75 days in prison. Earlier this year, he also filed to run as a Republican for the Manatee County Commission.
[BELOW: Waffle House bans Florida governor candidate from all restaurants in the state]
While many critics of property tax cuts have argued that it would harm local-level funding, “Lectern Guy” took a different approach to the hot-button issue.
Johnson broached the topic of property tax cuts in reaction to a special election where a Democrat flipped a Florida district that includes President Trump’s home of Mar-a-Lago.
“Overdeveloping and an open door policy has consequences in our elections. We saw this yesterday,” he posted on X. “I’m going to say something very controversial that will get push back. If we vote to end property taxes, the magnet will grow in intensity and draw millions more to my state.”
Florida became a magnet for new residents over the past few years. Overdeveloping and an open door policy has consequences in our elections. We saw this yesterday.
— The Lectern Guy🇺🇸 (@lecternleader) March 25, 2026
I'm going to say something very controversial that will get push back. If we vote to end property taxes, the…
That said, Johnson also pushed for a “legacy clause” to end property taxes that applies only to residents who have been in the state for 20 years.
The opinion puts him at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has called for lawmakers to get rid of property taxes on primary homesteads, which aren’t the biggest source of property tax revenue.
[BELOW: DeSantis weighs in on latest Florida tax ranking]
Earlier this year, House lawmakers managed to approve a bill that would do exactly that, though it ultimately stalled in the Senate.
Regardless, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, as a special session is being planned for late April. Property taxes could be added to that session.
Either way, Florida lawmakers will have to stay in Tallahassee, as the budget is still not ready — something that is constitutionally required.
“We’ll see what happens on a whole host of things. But I would just say, ‘Stay tuned,’” DeSantis said last week. “And don’t let anyone tell you somehow we’re not doing the property tax. We’re going to be robust.”
HOW WOULD PROPERTY TAX CUTS BE DONE?
Because property taxes are a local issue, it would take an amendment to the state’s constitution for Florida lawmakers to actually cut them statewide.
This means that 60% of Florida voters would have to approve such an amendment.
[BELOW: Florida governor candidate Byron Donalds talks about repealing property taxes]
Back in January, DeSantis proposed on Fox & Friends how property taxes could be most effectively introduced.
- State Fund Replacements: Excess state funding could be used to help offset any losses from property tax cuts.
- Homesteads Only: Any property tax cuts would only be for primary homesteads, which aren’t the biggest source of property tax revenue.
- Exposing Local “Waste”: The governor’s DOGE audit task force has been uncovering “waste, fraud and abuse” in local government spending across the state to pressure local governments into reducing their budgets.
[BELOW: DeSantis proposes $5 billion property tax relief plan for homeowners last year]