DeSantis Denounces Trump Indictment, Says Florida ‘Will Not Assist in an Extradition Request’

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the indictment of former President Donald Trump as a political agenda, and said that Florida will not participate in an extradition request to New York. On March 30, a New York grand jury indicted Trump over alleged misreporting of a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election. However, it must be noted that extradition is outside the governor’s jurisdiction.

DeSantis tweeted that “the weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American.” He also criticized the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, as being “Soros-backed,” and accused him of downgrading felonies in the past and excusing criminal wrongdoing. DeSantis went on to say that given the questionable circumstances involving the prosecutor’s political affiliations, Florida would not cooperate in Trump’s extradition.

However, Trump’s defense lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told CNN that the former president is expected to travel to New York next week despite DeSantis’ statements.

Trump described the indictment as “political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history,” and accused “the radical Left Democrats” of engaging in a “witch-hunt” against him ever since his presidential campaign began. Entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also criticized the indictment and called it “politically motivated.”