Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Thursday evening that Florida won’t aid law enforcement in any extradition proceedings related to the indictment of former President Trump.
“Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda,” DeSantis said, referring to businessman, philanthropist and holocaust survivor George Soros, who’s known for making political donations, including to a group that endorses progressive prosecutors.
Trump moved to a residence inside his Mar-a-Lago country club in Palm Beach, Florida after leaving the White House in 2021.
It was revealed Thursday evening that a Manhattan grand jury had indicted Trump on a reported 30 counts related to business fraud surrounding hundreds of thousands of dollars in hush money payments made during the 2016 Presidential Election season.
DeSantis made his statement after Trump’s legal team had said the former President would surrender and be taken to court in Manhattan for arraignment on Tuesday.
The governor’s statement is a reversal from last week, when DeSantis said he would not intervene in the case against Trump—after which Trump and his allies lashed out, accusing DeSantis of political weakness.
Though he has not yet announced, DeSantis’ team has been making moves toward a run for President in 2024 and he has been making appearances in early primary and caucus states like Iowa.
A fellow Republican, the Florida governor would be in competition with Trump for the party’s nomination, as Trump has stated he intends to continue his run for reelection in spite of any criminal indictment.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has said it’s been coordinating with Trump attorneys for his surrender. The logistics of the unprecedented arraignment of a former President are complex, with arrangements being made not only between the D.A. and Trump’s legal team but also with the U.S. Secret Service and the NYPD.
