DeSantis, Trump's top rival in the 2024 Republican presidential primary race, was asked on a conservative talk show if he would consider pardoning the former president, should he be charged with federal crimes.
The governor was also asked if he believed the next Republican president should look at pardoning defendants charged in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol.
The governor filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday and then confirmed his candidacy in a live Twitter discussion with Elon Musk that was plagued with technical difficulties.
Trump is the clear front-runner in most polls of the Republican primary, with DeSantis his closest competitor.
The New York criminal case is set for trial starting March 25, 2024, in the thick of the primary election season.
Persons:
Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, DeSantis, Clay Travis, Trump, Buck Sexton, Elon Musk, Jack Smith, Trump's, General Merrick Garland
Organizations:
Florida Gov, Republican, Justice, Trump, U.S . Capitol, Justice Department, Capitol, Federal, Commission, Manhattan, The New, DOJ, FBI
Locations:
Florida, The New York, Lago