Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the indictment of a "former president" during a speech in Long Island on Saturday, without directly naming political rival Donald Trump. The governor appeared to use the opportunity to criticize Trump and his allies who have defended him against what they call a "politically motivated prosecution."
The former president was indicted last week by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on charges related to tax fraud and other financial crimes allegedly committed before he took office. Republicans and Trump supporters have rallied around the former president, claiming that the indictment is part of a larger effort by Democrats and their allies to undermine his presidency.
During his speech in Long Island, Gov. DeSantis took aim at Bragg's criminal justice policies without mentioning him by name. He accused prosecutors of targeting high-profile individuals for political gain rather than focusing on violent crime.
"The people who are responsible for prosecuting violent crimes should not be weaponizing their offices for political purposes," said DeSantis. "We need prosecutors who are focused on justice, not politics."
While avoiding direct references to Donald Trump or the indictment itself, Gov. DeSantis' remarks were seen as an implicit criticism of both.
Since news broke of his indictment last week, Trump's popularity has surged among supporters who view it as further evidence of a partisan witch hunt against him. Despite facing serious legal challenges with potentially severe consequences if convicted, he is expected to voluntarily turn himself in on Tuesday in New York for his arraignment.
It remains unclear how the legal proceedings will play out or what impact they may have on future electoral prospects for either party involved.
Despite this uncertainty, it is clear that politicians like Gov. DeSantis will continue to weigh in publicly while seeking opportunities to shape public opinion around these important issues affecting our nation's democracy and justice system alike.