Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and activist who is running against Donald J. Trump for the Republican nomination, told reporters outside the courthouse in Miami on Tuesday that he had reached out to other presidential candidates to urge them to commit to pardoning the former president if they win in 2024.
Mr. Ramaswamy, who has been among Mr. Trump’s most vocal supporters since the indictment, said he had floated the idea of such a pledge to Mr. Trump’s main Republican rivals, including Gov.
Ron DeSantis of Florida, as well as Democrats challenging President Biden, like Robert Kennedy Jr.
Speaking outside the federal court building where Mr. Trump was scheduled to appear hours later, Mr. Ramaswamy was often drowned out by competing chants between Trump supporters and demonstrators who had come to celebrate the indictment.
Mr. Ramaswamy said that even though he could benefit politically from the case, he believed the prospect of the Republican front-runner facing an extended prosecution and possibly jail time was dangerous for democracy.
Persons:
Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald J, Trump, Ramaswamy, Trump’s, Ron DeSantis, Biden, Robert Kennedy Jr
Organizations:
Republican, Mr, Gov
Locations:
Miami, Florida