It was a remarkable statement by the Republican No. 2 candidate. Though he is considered the most likely candidate to replace President Trump, he is seeking ways to take on the former president without alienating his most ardent supporters.
And it put in plain words the limits of how much DeSantis could go up against Trump. DeSantis has been keen to highlight the differences between the two over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has consistently veiled jabs about Trump’s electability, but every time the legal issue has arisen, Trump has been criticized. He is making a calculated effort not to offend a political base that seems increasingly courageous in his support. .
President Trump announced on Thursday that he had been indicted in connection with the handling of classified documents. The move comes 10 months after federal agents raided the Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach and brought back records stored there. President Trump said he will be summoned to federal court in Miami next Tuesday.
DeSantis has previously criticized the FBI investigation into Mar-a-Lago. At the time, Mr. DeSantis called it the “weaponization of federal agencies.” When asked shortly after his presidential campaign whether he would pardon Trump and those who rioted at the Capitol on January 6, DeSantis said he would be “aggressive” in doing so. rice field.
Many Republican lawmakers in Florida echoed DeSantis’ reaction, with some suggesting the timing of the indictment was intended to divert attention from allegations that President Joe Biden was involved in a bribery scheme when he was vice president. Without evidence, he suggested that he might have been. Mr. Biden called the allegations “evil,” referenced in an unconfirmed document shown to lawmakers on Thursday.
“We have completely lost faith in the Justice Department,” the senator said. Rick Scott (Florida Republican Party) said on social media. “The Justice Department needs to come out tonight and explain how this is different from what Hillary (Clinton) did. This is America, and it certainly resembles a banana republic.”
Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler also echoed Scott in a text message.
In a text message, Ziegler said, “I’m looking forward to the investigation and prosecution of Joe Biden over the classified documents found in Joe Biden’s garage and the $5 million payment to Joe Biden from a foreigner… Just kidding. ‘ said. “America’s justice system is not equally applied.”
At least 12 of the 20 Florida Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives support Mr. Trump’s re-election, but DeSantis is only garnering the support of Florida lawmakers. Laurel Lee. Two Florida senators do not support the campaign.
“What these people do to protect their power and destroy those who threaten it, even if it means tearing our country apart and shattering public confidence in the institutions that hold our country together. There is no limit to what you can do,” the senator said. Marco Rubio wrote on twitter.
