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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that former President Donald Trump is OK with the weaponization of the federal government as long as it’s against people he doesn’t like, including his political opponents.
“Weaponization” has become a buzzword for conservatives who accuse liberals of politicizing the Justice Department and other agencies to go after Republicans.
“But let’s just be clear,” Mr. DeSantis said, “Trump is fine with weaponization if it’s against people he doesn’t like.”
In response to Mr. DeSantis’ comment, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said: “Ron DeSanctus is still in the race?”
In an interview released Wednesday by RealClearPolitics, Mr. DeSantis said that a “bogus” complaint was filed with the Florida Ethics Commission by Mr. Trump’s allies. The goal of the complaint was to have him “ejected from the office of governor.”
A pro-Trump political action committee filed the complaint that Mr. DeSantis violated his state’s law by starting his presidential campaign early. It was quickly dismissed.
Mr. DeSantis is one of Mr. Trump’s top rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, though Mr. Trump remains the favorite in the race.
Mr. Trump has always been quick to talk about the “weaponization” of different government agencies such as the Department of Justice and the FBI. He also has threatened to root out political opponents from federal agencies and turn the wheels of justice against those he says have persecuted him.
When the Florida governor was asked what he thought about Mr. Trump being removed from the Colorado primary ballot, he said he opposed the decision “as a matter of principle” and that the ruling “takes us down a road that’s not going to be good for this country when a court can disqualify you without a criminal conviction.”
Mr. DeSantis, however, isn’t following the example of GOP presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy, who is withdrawing from the Colorado ballot in support of Mr. Trump.
“He’d spike the football!” Mr. DeSantis said of Mr. Trump.
The governor said if one of Mr. Trump’s competitors was removed from a state ballot, the ex-president would never “remove himself in solidarity.”
The Trump campaign did not respond to request for comment on Mr. DeSantis’ remarks.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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