DeSantis says Trump indictment proof of ‘weaponization’ of justice system

Ron DeSantis on Thursday criticized the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump — his chief rival for the GOP presidential nomination — as an “uneven application of the law,” tweeting that the “weaponization” of the justice system “represents a mortal threat to a free society.”

“Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?” the Florida Republican said, referencing former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden.

He went on to say that, if elected president, his administration “will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias and end weaponization once and for all.”

Trump announced Thursday that he has been indicted by federal prosecutors on charges stemming from his storing classified documents at his Palm Beach residence after taking them from the White House. He is expected to appear at a Miami federal court next week, when the charges will be formally unveiled.

DeSantis did not say whether he thought Trump was innocent of the alleged crimes, choosing instead to focus on what he called a biased justice system. The governor also did not say whether, if elected president, he would pardon Trump should the former president be convicted.

At least one other GOP presidential candidate, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, pledged to pardon Trump if elected president.

Trump now faces two separate indictments as he attempts to reclaim the presidency. In March, he was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan on charges related to hush-money payments sent to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Trump has denied the allegations in both incidents, calling each a politically motivated witch hunt.

The March indictment, however, appeared to help his standing within the Republican Party as he ran for president, with many surveys showing him gaining support among rank-and-file GOP voters.