(CBrief) – Social media erupted on Tuesday over comments that Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis made about former President Donald Trump regarding the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
During a press event in South Carolina, DeSantis suggested that Trump could have acted more “forcefully” in response to the riot. DeSantis, who is running for president against Trump and others, commented on Trump’s revelation that he received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith stating that he is the target of a January 6 grand jury investigation.
“Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden’s DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
DeSantis suggested that Trump could have done more that day, but came out against a prosecution of Trump’s conduct.
“So look, there’s a difference between being brought up on criminal charges and doing things like, for example, I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didn’t do anything while, while things were going on. He should have come out more forcefully, of course, that. But to try to criminalize that, that’s a different issue entirely, and I think that we want to be in a situation where, you know, you don’t have one side just constantly trying to put the other side in jail. And that unfortunately is what we’re seeing now,” DeSantis said.
WATCH:
Team Trump lying once again and purposely taking @RonDeSantis out of context.
Here’s his full answer: “So look, there’s a difference between being brought up on criminal charges and doing things like, for example, I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didn’t do… https://t.co/Nhe7D6CSxV pic.twitter.com/h89QggvarG
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) July 18, 2023
“A target letter from federal prosecutors to Trump makes clear that prosecutors are focused on Trump’s actions in the investigation into overturning the 2020 election – and not just of those around him who tried to stop his election loss,” CNN reported.
“Justice Department regulations allow for prosecutors to notify subjects of an investigation that they have become a target. Often a notification that a person is a target is a strong sign an indictment could follow, but it is possible the recipient is not ultimately charged. Those notifications aren’t required, but prosecutors have the discretion to notify subjects that they have become a target. Once informed, a target has the opportunity to present evidence or testify to the grand jury if they choose,” the outlet added.
Trump said he received the letter on Sunday and that he expects to face both an arrest and an indictment.
Smith is also going after Trump over his handling of classified documents that were located at Mar-a-Lago last year.
Trump appeared in Miami in June for his arraignment in the case brought against him by Smith, who Biden’s Department of Justice appointed. Trump pleaded “not guilty” through his attorneys in federal court.
According to the indictment, Trump allegedly showed classified documents to a number of people who did not have the proper security clearances on at least two separate occasions. The DOJ alleges that both instances occurred at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J.
Smith has charged Trump with 37 counts related to his handling of classified documents.
conservativebrief.com/desantis-takes-75059/