Palm Bay Approves Council Settlement

The dispute originated from former council member Chandler Langevin's social media posts in the fall of 2025, which included statements such as, "There's not a single Indian that cares about the United States," and a call to "Deport every Indian immediately." These comments led to a public outcry and accusations of xenophobia. In response, the Palm Bay City Council voted to censure Langevin for conduct unbecoming of an elected official. The censure resolution, which passed on a 3-2 vote, initially sought to prevent him from placing items on the agenda without a consensus, silenced him during commissioner comments, and removed him from committee assignments. Langevin, represented by attorney Anthony Sabatini, filed a federal First Amendment lawsuit against the city, arguing the council's actions were unconstitutional retaliation for his protected political speech. He contended the city could not limit his rights or ability to speak based on his viewpoint. The settlement agreement stipulates a payment of $55,000 to Langevin's law firm to cover attorney fees and costs. As part of the deal, neither party admits to any wrongdoing, and Langevin has agreed to release the city from all claims, bringing a permanent close to the federal case.