Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that the state will not cooperate with any extradition request to send former U.S. President Donald Trump to New York following the former president’s indictment by a grand jury in Manhattan.
The charges against Trump relate to supposed payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to silence allegations of an extramarital affair.
In a statement on Thursday night, Gov. DeSantis criticized what he called the “weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda.”
“The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent,” he said.
“Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda.”
Trump, who is currently residing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, would only be extradited to New York if he refused to go voluntarily.
The indictment marks a historic moment in U.S. politics, as it is the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges.
The indictment comes after a lengthy investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
However, the former president’s supporters have been quick to criticize the charges as politically motivated.
