The FBI's raid on President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home has sparked the ire of Republicans across the nation. While Democrats are praising the FBI, Republicans are calling it an attack against Democracy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), himself someone who's speculated to launch a 2024 presidential campaign, released a statement in support of the president. DeSantis called the raid an example of "the weaponization of federal agencies."
The raid sent shockwaves across the political landscape, resulting in a number of lawmakers sharing their thoughts.
Republicans have quickly jumped to the defense of Trump while Democrats have further criticized Republicans in office.
The president himself released a statement, calling the raid "prosecutorial misconduct."
Governor DeSantis, a staunch supporter of the president, quickly released a statement, sharing his disappointment for the raid.
"The raid of MAL is another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regime's political opponents, while people like Hunter Biden get treated with kid gloves," the Governor remarked, questioning that "now the Regime is getting another 87k IRS agents to wield against its adversaries?"
In turn, DeSantis simply called it a "Banana Republic."
The response has garnered immediate criticism from prominent Democrats in the state, including Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who's challenging DeSantis for the top post in the state.
Taking to social media, Rep. Crist wrote "Trump in 2020. DeSantis in 2022. We're putting an end to dictators-in-chief. Pass it on."
Trump in 2020.
DeSantis in 2022.
We’re putting an end to dictators-in-chief. Pass it on.
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) August 9, 2022
Similarly, Florida Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D) shared some words regarding DeSantis' comments, saying that "DeSantis had weaponized nearly every state agency and department against LGBTQ Floridians," noting that "the parents and families of transgender youth are quite literally fleeing Florida to escape persecution from his REGIME."
DeSantis weaponized nearly every state agency and department against LGBTQ Floridians. The parents + families of transgender youth are quite literally fleeing Florida to escape persecution from his REGIME. Pure projection from an authoritarian leader and master propagandist. 🔽 https://t.co/xrgXvYrNJy
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) August 9, 2022
Smith added that DeSantis' comments are simply "pure projection from an authoritarian leader and master propagandist."
