Topline
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) weighed in Monday on the possible indictment of former President Donald Trump, calling the Manhattan District Attorney “corrupt” by saying he would not get involved in a “manufactured circus” surrounding the potential charges, as DeSantis prepares for a likely 2024 election rivalry against Trump.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his … [+]
Key Facts
DeSantis, who was speaking at an event in Panama City, Florida, told reporters he did not know what was going to happen with Trump’s potential indictment, and was not getting involved “in any way”—but he criticized the process.
DeSantis called Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney who could bring charges against Trump in the coming days if a grand jury chooses to indict him, a “Soros-funded” prosecutor who “weaponizes” his office to “impose a political agenda on society” (billionaire George Soros, a frequent target of hard-right politicians, donated to a political action committee that helped elect Bragg).
The Florida governor also mocked Trump’s rumored hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, which initially triggered Bragg’s investigation, saying, “I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a pornstar to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.”
DeSantis said he has to spend his time on “issues that actually matter to people” in the state of Florida, not the purported indictment.
Key Background
Trump took to his Truth Social app Saturday morning and predicted the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office would arrest him Tuesday, as a years-long investigation into Trump reportedly nears its endpoint. Trump’s attorneys later clarified that Trump’s claims were based on media reports, not information they’ve received from prosecutors. If a grand jury in Manhattan votes in favor of an indictment, Trump could be charged with falsifying business records tied to payments his former attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged 2006 affair. After Trump’s announcement, Republicans spent the weekend speaking out and largely supporting the former president. While many urged DeSantis to speak up, he didn’t address the indictment reports until he was asked Monday. The Florida governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate is tip-toeing the line of supporting Trump while preparing for a tough primary battle with Trump, a one-time ally who has ramped up his attacks on DeSantis in recent weeks.
Surprising Fact
DeSantis could be involved in Trump’s potential extradition if the former president is charged. If Trump doesn’t voluntarily surrender at his Mar-A-Lago home in Florida, an extradition would have to be approved by DeSantis or a Florida judge. But experts told Insider DeSantis would only be able to delay extradition, not stop it all together. Trump’s attorney indicated last week his client will surrender if he’s charged.
What To Watch For
The Manhattan grand jury’s vote. While the grand jury is still hearing the case against Trump, a vote on charges could come as soon as Monday. But because the proceedings are secret, it could take time for the public to learn about the outcome of the vote.
Further Reading
Here’s What Will Happen If Trump Is Arrested (Forbes)
Trump Says He Will Be Arrested Tuesday—Urges Supporters To Protest (Forbes)
Speaker McCarthy Threatens Federal Probe If Trump Arrested—Pence, Greene, Graham, More Blast Prosecutors (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/03/20/desantis-breaks-silence-on-possible-trump-charges-and-criticizes-ny-prosecutor-for-political-agenda/