A Republican state legislator who proposed a bill for allocating up to $5 million for Donald Trump’s legal expenses is now withdrawing the proposal.
Senator’s Change of Heart
Florida’s Senator Ileana Garcia, who supports Trump’s presidential ambitions, declared on Monday her intention to pull back Senate Bill 1740, which was filed this month to use taxpayer funds for Trump’s legal issues.
Trump Can ‘Handle Himself’
With the GOP nomination race now down to two candidates, Garcia believes Trump can ‘handle himself.’ she said in a Monday night statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), “This bill was filed on January 5th amidst a crowded primary, including two Florida residents.”
Tactical Retreat?
“My concern was the political weaponization against conservative candidates, and while @JimmyPatronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign through the primary, one frontrunner now remains, and he can handle himself,” Garcia continued.
“I will be withdrawing the bill. SB 1740.”
New Fund to Aid Legal Struggles
The proposed ‘Grants for Victims of Political Discrimination’ bill was designed to establish a ‘Florida Freedom Fighters Fund.’ This fund aimed to offer financial aid to Florida’s presidential candidates who are subject to legal and political challenges by the Department of Justice or state attorneys, as explained by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
DeSantis Ready to Veto
Governor DeSantis, however, signaled his readiness to veto this bill should it clear the GOP-led Florida Legislature. In reaction to a report about SB 1740, which stated, “Some Florida Republicans want taxpayers to pay Trump’s legal bills,” DeSantis responded, “But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen…”
Support for Local Candidates
Previously, Patronis had argued for the necessity of this fund, citing the intense scrutiny faced by Florida’s presidential candidates from the federal government. “Facing an onslaught of attacks from the federal government. If we can help and support a Florida candidate for the White House, that’s just good from a dollars and cents perspective,” he remarked.”
Widespread Disapproval
Senate Bill 1740 was met with disapproval across the political spectrum. Nikki Fried, the chair of Florida’s Democratic Party, denounced it as playing the ‘victim card’ and labeled it a ‘disgrace.’
GOP Concerns
Meanwhile, Republicans who support Governor DeSantis’s presidential run raised concerns about why they should finance Trump’s legal woes, which include facing four criminal indictments.
Florida GOP’s Loyalty Questioned
“This bill should inflame any Floridian who cares where their tax dollars are going,” Fried argued. “What this shows you is who the Florida GOP is loyal to because it’s certainly not the people of Florida,”
Legal Funding Debate
She further criticized the Florida GOP’s priorities, highlighting their readiness to allocate up to $5 million for Trump while neglecting pressing state issues like the property insurance and housing crisis, teacher shortage, and healthcare costs, mainly due to the Legislature’s refusal to expand Medicaid.
Internal GOP Strife Over Funding
Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for Trump and an avid supporter of DeSantis, questioned the rationale behind Floridians funding Trump’s legal expenses, noting that Trump hasn’t contributed to her legal fees.
Trump Publicly Criticized
As one of the 18 co-defendants with Trump in the Georgia election interference case, Ellis has publicly criticized Trump before for not supporting her with her legal expenses.
Decision Earns Approval
DeSantis’s staffer, Bryan Griffin, commended the governor’s decision, emphasizing its alignment with conservative principles. Jaimee Michell of Gays Against Groomers, known for its far-right stance, called out the hypocrisy of the governor’s critics regarding taxation and government size.
Trump Allies Criticize Veto
Trump supporters, including Laura Loomer and Jack Posobiec, condemned DeSantis for considering vetoing the bill, alleging it creates party division. In a tweet, pro-Trump strategist Ben Geller demanded DeSantis’s resignation, accusing him of abandoning unity and neglecting Americans.
‘DeSantis is showing his true colors’
“Ron DeSantis does not stand for unity, nor does he care about American people, nor does he care about the people of Florida. It’s time for Ron DeSantis to resign in disgrace,” Geller said.
“Governor DeSantis is showing his true colors today now that his career is finished.”
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