Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is encountering challenges in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, finding himself trailing by a significant 30 points.
In an effort to rejuvenate his campaign, he’s now taking a fresh approach by launching an attack on former President Donald Trump.
During a recent appearance on “The Ingraham Angle” on August 15, DeSantis acknowledged Trump’s accomplishments while simultaneously accusing him of failing to fulfill his promise to “drain the swamp.”
In fact, according to DeSantis, the state of corruption in Washington only worsened during Trump’s four years in office. He positioned himself as the candidate best equipped to combat what he terms the “weaponization” of the federal government, including entities such as the FBI.
“I give him credit, even though we’re competing, for the great things he did do. But one of the things he did not do was drain the swamp… the swamp got worse in his four years,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis didn’t hold back in his criticism, declaring that if he were elected president, he would dismiss FBI Director Christopher Wray from his position.
Wray was handpicked by Trump and subsequently confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. DeSantis cited examples of officials he has removed from their roles or those who resigned at his request.
Particularly noteworthy is his controversial move to replace two democratically elected Democratic prosecutors in Florida with conservatives, bypassing the voters’ choice. DeSantis argued that the prosecutors weren’t adhering to the law.
“You’re going to see the DOJ cleared out. We are going to ensure a single standard of justice in this country again. And I can say that with credibility, because I’ve done that in the state of Florida,” DeSantis added.
The governor emphasized his track record of taking decisive action and achieving results. He assured his audience that he would bring the same level of action to the federal level if elected.
DeSantis is currently in the midst of a campaign overhaul as a new Emerson College Poll indicates his declining popularity. The poll places him in third position with a mere 8% support.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ranks second at 9%, while Trump holds the lead with 49%.
Business Insider has attributed DeSantis’ dwindling performance to a series of missteps, including the circulation of a homophobic video and a staff member sharing Nazi symbolism. In contrast to Trump, who is often lauded for his charismatic presence, DeSantis has been characterized as lacking in that department.
Despite the criticism, DeSantis can draw on his successful record as governor of Florida to potentially revitalize his campaign. With several months left until the primary, there’s still ample opportunity for DeSantis to make a resurgence in the race.
