Indictment offers temporary ‘unifier’ between Trump and DeSantis as 2024 looms

Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis’ recent defense of former President Donald Trump has brought the two into alignment, as they team up to face the Democrats prosecuting the former President. The alignment comes ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle.

Trump’s indictment in a hush-money case has seen Republicans rally behind him, with DeSantis refraining from firing back at Trump for months, despite the former president’s attacks on the governor.

Trump’s allies have criticized DeSantis in the past for his lack of support, but a recent pledge by the governor that his state would “not assist in an extradition request” may have won some support amongst Republicans. This could prove effective in inoculating the governor against criticism for having not adequately defended Trump. DeSantis’ response was “strong” and “playing well” with Republicans in Trump’s home state, said a GOP operative.

The brief pause in hostilities between Trump and DeSantis may be short-lived, however. There are concerns that other legal issues such as the Capitol riot, alleged mishandling of classified documents, and Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 elections could complicate their relationship, a GOP strategist explained.

Despite this, one Republican ally of Trump has said that the recent indictment will create a disaster for the Democrats, having come under criticism from former New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo. In a possible sign of DeSantis moving closer to announcing a run for president, Florida lawmakers are introducing legislation to change the state’s resign-to-run law, allowing him to make a presidential bid before his term expires.