Ron DeSantis took the opportunity to defend Donald Trump - and make his own campaign promises - as Special Counsel Jack Smith handed down yet another indictment against the former president.
The Florida Republican governor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, moments after the indictment was handed down. He wrote, “As President, I will end the weaponization of government, replace the FBI Director, and ensure a single standard of justice for all Americans.”
He admitted that he has not read the indictment, but “believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right to remove cases from Washington, DC to their home districts.” Mr Trump was indicted in a US District Court in DC.
Mr DeSantis continued, “Washington, DC is a ‘swamp’ and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality.” He continued, “One of the reasons our country is in decline is the politicization of the rule of law. No more excuses—I will end the weaponization of the federal government.”
Mr DeSantis’ post echoes claims from Mr Trump. Following the indictment announcement, the Trump campaign put out a statement, writing: “This is nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 presidential election, in which Donald Trump is the undisputed frontrunner, and leading by substantial margins.”
Mr Trump has consistently led Mr DeSantis in the polls, as the two men vie for the Republican nomination. It’s unclear how the latest indictment will affect the former president’s favourability.
The former president was charged on four criminal counts and the indictment lists six unnamed co-conspirators on Tuesday.
A number of social media users did not hold back when criticizing the Florida governor’s response to the new indictment — from virtually every angle. Mr DeSantis received a barrage of criticism for giving an opinion while admitting he hadn’t read the indictment yet.
“I’ve not read the indictment, but I have really strong feelings about it anyway,” one user mocked.
Another wrote, “I suggest you log off Twitter and read the indictment.”
“If you haven’t read the indictment, maybe that speaks to your inability to process real time information about things that threaten our national security,” yet another commented.
Another angle critics pursued was the fact that Mr DeSantis is trailing behind Mr Trump in the polls, giving him tongue-in-cheek advice. “Maybe if you get indicted three times your poll numbers will go up, too,” one person remarked.
One user wrote, “Fire every last one of your advisors,” and another replied to that tweet with, “Especially the social media team.”
Others still weaponized his own words against him.
A user wrote, “You are in fact weaponizing the Florida government against Disney.” Another commented on his suggestion that Mr Trump should not be prosecuted in Washington, DC: “Hey Ron, is there something specific about the District of Columbia jury pool that particularly concerns you?”
