'Not going to be bullied': Why DeSantis went after Trump, then retreated

[Zorro]

The Florida governor’s response to Trump’s indictment shows the challenge of going on the attack

As Donald Trump faced the looming threat of an indictment in New York last month, scores of Republicans offered a full-throated defense of the former president. But not Ron DeSantis, who resented that Trump expected fealty while attacking him relentlessly and wanted to show he wouldn’t be cowed into falling in line, according to two people familiar with the Florida governor’s thinking who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly.

Asked about the case at a news conference on March 20, two days after a Trump adviser criticized his “radio silence,” DeSantis accused the prosecutor of “pursuing a political agenda” against Trump, echoing many others in the party. But he also noted the allegations of “porn star hush money” at the center of the case, seeking to put a spotlight on Trump’s personal conduct and show he was “not going to be bullied” by the ex-president, one of the people said.

The backlash from Trump and his allies was swift, and when an indictment came in late March, DeSantis took a route suggested early on by Dustin Carmack, a former congressional aide expected to join his presidential campaign, according to another person with knowledge of the conversations, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to more openly describe private talks. DeSantis declared Florida would “not assist in an extradition request,” even as Trump’s team had already indicated that the former president would surrender.

Representatives for DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment. Carmack could not be reached for comment.

The episode underscored the stark challenges DeSantis faces in confronting Trump, as the governor gears up to enter the presidential race. The governor’s recent struggles to find his footing on the national stage, where he is a relative novice, stands in contrast to the dominance he has established in Florida, confidently battling the political left and other foes and winning reelection by nearly 20 points last fall.

https://wapo.st/3UoepqC

[Salviati]

1. Tiny desantis is a big fish in a small pond.

He's gonna collapse like a house of cards when he has to step out of his comfort zone.

[RKP5637]

2. And he has completely diseased that small pond which used to be kinda nice. n/t