Florida lawmakers, officials react to Trump’s indictment

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in New York, marking the first time a U.S. president has been charged with a crime.

Now, Florida officials are voicing their opinions on the decision.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced his opposition to the indictment on Twitter, calling it “un-American.” DeSantis also said Florida would not assist with any extradition requests from New York.

The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.

It is un-American.

The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is… — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 30, 2023

Florida Congressman Greg Steube agreed with DeSantis’ sentiments, saying on Twitter, “Governor DeSantis should keep his word and refuse any pressure from the NY DA to extradite President Trump!”

Governor DeSantis should keep his word and refuse any pressure from the NY DA to extradite President Trump! — Greg Steube (@gregsteube) March 30, 2023

Southwest Florida Congressman Byron Donalds also took to Twitter, calling the indictment “a threat to our Republic by Alvin Bragg and the Democratic Party machine.”

Today’s political indictment of Former President Trump is a dark day in American history and a threat to our Republic by Alvin Bragg and the Democratic Party machine.

It’s unfathomable to me that this could happen in America. This is political persecution that must not stand!

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) March 30, 2023

Senator Rick Scott said, “We are now living in a nation where people can’t trust the legal process, FBI, DOJ, or IRS…and I will do all I can in the Senate to support @SpeakerMcCarthy’s efforts.”

First, our media was overrun by the left, then our government was weaponized by the Democrats, and now our legal system has been completely upended by a Soros-funded district attorney who is targeting a political opponent while letting violent criminals run rampant across NYC.… — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 30, 2023

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I am heartbroken by the damage this targeted prosecution will do to the integrity of our justice system.”

Upon learning of the NY DA indictment, I am heartbroken by the damage this targeted prosecution will do to the integrity of our justice system. It is a sad day in the story of the United States.

— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) March 30, 2023

Congressman Matt Gaetz Tweeted, “A majority of Americans know Alvin Bragg’s witch hunt is a politically motivated prosecution.”

President Donald Trump always fought for us. He puts the American people above corrupt interests. For that reason alone, the powerful will never stop coming for him.

A majority of Americans know Alvin Bragg’s witch hunt is a politically motivated https://t.co/jxF97B2x8U… — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 30, 2023

In a statement posted to TruthSocial, Trump called the indictment “Political Persecution and Election Interference.”

Word of the decision of the New York grand jury spread all over the country and was the talk of the night in downtown Fort Myers.

“What a waste of time,” said Ralph Hammack, from Cape Coral.

“Didn’t think it was going to happen,” said Dennis Koon, from Ohio.

“I think it’s all political. Trump’s been saying it, and I think it is. I mean, he did stuff wrong, but you don’t put a president in jail for that,” said John Cioffi, from Fort Myers.

Cioffi said he supported Trump during his first run for the White House. He knew this was coming after the former president predicted this would happen last week. “They’re just going after him because they don’t want him to run for president again”

“Why not care about other issues, things that are more important than trying to get Trump? They’ve been trying to get trump for how many years? On something?” asked Hammack.

Koon hopes Trump still runs in 2024. He believes this will help his chances. “It’s the whole witch hunt. I feel like people are just, you know, going after him. Just the whole Trump derangement. They just really want to attack him.”

Kari Lerner is the chair of the Lee County Democratic Party. Her statement on the decision, “No one should be above the law. And if the grand jury found cause for indictment, then the former president should be indicted”

You can read the former president’s full statement about his indictment below:

“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history. From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats – the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country – have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement. You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this.

“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable – indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference.

“Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done. The Democrats have cheated countless times over the decades, including spying on my campaign, but weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President, has never happened before. Ever.

“Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace. Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time!

“I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden. The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”