Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) weighed in on former President Donald Trump’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday, slamming the investigation as a George Soros-funded effort to keep Biden in office.
In a statement posted to Twitter, DeSantis surprised many by quickly publishing a statement and labeling the prosecution un-American after he initially appeared to dismiss the indictment prospect as “not a real issue” just ten days ago.
“The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American,” DeSantis wrote.
“The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent.”
The governor went on to say, “Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda.”
Florida-based pro-Trump journalist Laura Loomer, who’s been critical of DeSantis due to his refusal to say whether he’ll run for president in 2024, pointed out the governor was careful not to mention Trump’s name in his statement.
Notice @GovRonDeSantis refuses to even say President Trump’s name in his statement.
Would it really be so hard for DeSantis to type “President Donald Trump” ?
Petty and WEAK!
You are NOT Presidential, Ron! #Trump2024
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 30, 2023
The governor’s remarks came as he appeared to dismiss the indictment rumors earlier this month, saying his office had “no interest” in getting “involved” in the “manufactured circus” created by the Soros DA, who was “trying to virtue signal for his base.”
“He’s trying to do a political spectacle … I’ve got real issues I’ve got to deal with here in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at the time.
Trump, meanwhile, has also slammed the indictment as a Soros-funded witch hunt, saying in a statement Thursday, “Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who has who was handpicked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace. Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime, wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden‘s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assault, he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time!”