The rivalry between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has been reignited. Gov. DeSantis has a history of sending migrants to blue states to protest a rise in illegal immigration, and DeSantis has once again directed migrants to Sacramento. In response, Newsome is now threatening to hit DeSantis with kidnapping charges. Calling DeSantis a “small, pathetic man,” Newsom threatened to take legal action.
DeSantis garnered controversy after he sent migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the home of President Barack Obama (D). The decision to send migrants to blue states has drawn criticism from numerous Democrats. Though Democrats like New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) have raised the alarm over the rise of illegal immigration, DeSantis has been accused of being inhumane in directing migrants to other states.
After migrants were sent to Sacramento, California Governor Newsom signaled that he’s had enough.
Taking to social media, Newsom called DeSantis a “small, pathetic man” while also sharing a link to the California statute on abduction by force or fraud. Newsom also added that “this isn’t Martha’s Vineyard.”
.@RonDeSantis you small, pathetic man.
This isn't Martha's Vineyard.
Kidnapping charges?
Read the following. https://t.co/kvuxe8Fb6F pic.twitter.com/KyE1lJiIYo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 5, 2023
Florida Rep. David Jolly (F) a former Republican congressman turned member of the new Forward Party, criticized Governor DeSantis, saying that the Governor “has shown us that he’s willing to take official actions from the governor’s office that ultimately are done to support his presidential ambitions, and the migrant flights are a perfect example.”
Jolly is now an MSNBC news analyst.
This same week, a Texas Sheriff’s department recommended that the Bexar County District Attorney bring criminal charges over the first effort of Governor DeSantis’ “migrant relocation program.”
In a statement provided to the Miami Herald, the Bexar County sheriff said that “the case filed includes both felony and misdemeanor charges of Unlawful Restraint,” adding that “at this time, the case is being reviewed by the DA’s office. Once an update is available, it will be provided to the public.”
