DeSantis’ Verbal Sparring with Manhattan District Attorney Bragg
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently made his opinions on the ongoing legal troubles of former President Donald Trump known, with criticisms leveled against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is pursuing charges against the former president. DeSantis emphasized that his office would not involve itself in the case if it were to cross over into Florida, and made clear that he would not be extending support to Trump.
DeSantis’ Tongue-in-Cheek Remarks About Trump
Amidst a political comeback attempt and a third campaign for the White House, Trump has found himself in hot water with a grand jury on the cusp of deciding whether he should be indicted over alleged hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. DeSantis made his position clear, with a tongue-in-cheek remark stating, “I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.”
Trump’s Allies Launch Personal Attacks Against DeSantis
Trump’s allies immediately retaliated against DeSantis across social media platforms, suggesting that he would face a political cost for failing to fully support the former president in the face of mounting legal threats. Trump himself joined in the personal attacks against DeSantis, posting a photo that insinuated DeSantis had behaved inappropriately with teenage girls while teaching history in Georgia in his early 20s.
DeSantis vs. Trump: A Battle for Party Supremacy
This situation highlights the growing rivalry between two prominent figures in the GOP, who are competing for control of the party. Their proximity within the state of Florida only exacerbates this tension. DeSantis stated that he had no desire to get involved in any kind of manufactured circus surrounding Trump’s legal situation, clarifying that he was not privy to any arrangements with local law enforcement regarding the former president.
DeSantis Vows Not to Engage in a “Manufactured Circus”
DeSantis reiterated his stance, emphasizing that he had no intention of becoming entangled in a “manufactured circus.” This statement contrasts with his staunch defense of Trump last August, when federal authorities seized documents from the former president’s Palm Beach estate.
Other Republicans Join the Criticism of Bragg
Over the weekend, other Republicans criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, for pursuing charges against Trump dating back to the 2016 election. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies engaged in a coordinated pressure campaign to get DeSantis to speak out in defense of the former president.
DeSantis Echoes Criticisms of Bragg
DeSantis chimed in on the chorus of criticisms against Bragg, accusing the Democrat of seeking charges against Trump for political gain. He drew a comparison between Bragg and Tampa’s local state attorney, Andrew Warren, whom DeSantis controversially removed from office last year for political reasons. Both were linked to George Soros, the Hungarian-born billionaire and progressive donor often at the center of conservative conspiracies.
Haley Joins the Fray
Former South Carolina Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley added her voice to the mix, stating that a prosecution of Trump would be “for political points.” She went on to suggest that political prosecutions like this one were more about revenge than justice. Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, expressed her belief that politicians should be focusing on issues that the American public actually cares about.
Republicans Pressure DeSantis to Speak Out
As the pressure mounted, DeSantis finally spoke out on the matter during a press conference about central bank digital currencies, unrelated to Trump’s legal issues. He echoed the previous criticisms of Bragg, accusing the Democrat of pursuing charges against Trump for political reasons.
DeSantis Criticizes Bragg for Neglecting Crime Issues
DeSantis downplayed Bragg’s pursuit of Trump, stating that the real victims of this recklessness are ordinary New Yorkers and Americans in various jurisdictions who are victimized on a daily basis. He also criticized Bragg for neglecting other pressing crime issues in the city.
Conclusion
To sum up, DeSantis broke his silence on the ongoing legal troubles of Donald Trump, criticizing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing charges against the former president. DeSantis, who is considered a rising rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, did not offer any explicit support for Trump. Instead, he emphasized that his office would not be involved if the case were to cross over into Florida. Trump and his allies responded with personal attacks against DeSantis, while other Republicans joined in the criticism of Bragg.
