DeSantis criticized the First Step Act, referring to it as a “jailbreak bill,” and expressed concerns about releasing potentially dangerous individuals who have re-offended. He emphasized the importance of serving full sentences and argued against early release for unrehabilitated prisoners.
The First Step Act aimed to reduce recidivism rates and allowed non-violent offenders to shorten their sentences. The bill received support from notable figures like Kim Kardashian and focused on mitigating mandatory minimum sentences.
Despite engaging in a heated exchange of words with Trump, DeSantis maintained a focus on policy matters instead of resorting to personal attacks. Trump retaliated by highlighting DeSantis’ previous endorsement of the bill during his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives in 2018 and calling him “Lyin’ Ron.” DeSantis became Governor before the bill was signed. According to Trump, DeSantis is criticizing his own supporters in Congress who also voted for the First Step Act.
The rivalry between DeSantis and Trump has been escalating, with Trump targeting DeSantis for several months before the latter’s presidential campaign announcement. DeSantis recently criticized Trump over COVID-19 lockdowns and suggested Trump’s handling of the situation was wrong. DeSantis said that Trump handed control to Dr. Anthony Fauci. DeSantis implies that Trump fears him as a rival and he is the only candidate who can defeat him.
When questioned about the 2020 election, DeSantis discussed his concerns regarding voting rules and election interference. He stated that Trump enabled the wrong people, like Faucci, who implemented policies that supported the Democratic agenda. He highlighted how the federal government conspired with tech companies to censor information, such as the Hunter Biden story. DeSantis argued that the censoring done by big tech leading up to the 2020 election was election interference.
DeSantis outlined his approach to voting issues in the upcoming election, acknowledging that different states have varying rules. He mentioned Florida’s ban on ballot harvesting and external funding. DeSantis stated that telling people not to mail in their votes is a mistake because it would limit the voting pool.
In terms of DeSantis’ support for other voting methods, he highlighted his focus on engaging low-propensity voters in Florida, who often participate in presidential elections but not midterms. Many of these voters voted by mail, and DeSantis argued that limiting them to voting on Election Day could decrease participation. He emphasized the need for candidates to understand the electoral landscape and promised to take action without making excuses if nominated and elected president in 2025.
In a separate interview, DeSantis remarked that Trump appeared to be moving towards the left politically while he remained committed to conservative principles. He stressed the importance of standing for bold policies and avoiding a watered-down approach, using Florida as an example of his unwavering conservatism.
Although Trump currently maintains a significant lead over DeSantis in the polls, the battle for the Republican nomination is just beginning and is expected to intensify.
The back-and-forth exchanges between DeSantis and Trump have been marked by sharp rhetoric and personal jabs. While DeSantis has refrained from launching personal attacks against Trump, the former president has not hesitated to unleash scathing criticism against the Florida governor. Their contrasting styles highlight each candidate’s divergent strategies as they vie for the Republican nomination.
The battle for the Republican nomination is far from decided, and both candidates have a long road ahead. Trump’s popularity and established base present a formidable challenge for DeSantis. However, the Florida governor is banking on his record and policy positions to gain traction and appeal to a broader spectrum of conservative voters. Only time will tell whether DeSantis can successfully challenge Trump’s dominance and emerge as the Republican Party’s standard-bearer for the upcoming presidential election.