Trump allies are pressuring Desantis to weigh in on expected indictment

Former President Donald Trump’s political operation is trying to use the news of his expected indictment by a Manhattan grand jury to turn the strident base of the Republican Party against his expected rival for the 2024 presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis.

Immediately after the former president predicted on Saturday that his arrest was imminent, Trump’s operatives and friendly media outlets began publicly pressuring Desantis to condemn the law enforcement officials in New York, portraying his silence on the matter as bordering on treason.

Jason Miller, the former president’s senior adviser, said on Twitter that the Trump team was taking note of Desantis’ “radio silence” about the likely indictment.

And the Trump campaign’s “War Room” account posted on Sunday: “It has been over 24 hours and some people are still quiet. History will judge their silence.”

Trump’s most influential online allies disseminated the message fast and deep into right-wing online networks. Jack Posobiec, a farright political activist with a large social media following, was especially vocal in the pressure campaign.

“I’m taking receipts on everyone,” Posobiec said in a brief interview. “For Desantis to make that post yesterday, talking about the Hurricane Ian response and nothing from the personal account whatsoever about the arrest — it was a message that was received.”

An aide to Desantis did not respond to a request for comment.

The effort previews how an indictment would jolt the race for the Republican presidential nomination — and perhaps already has. Trump has used the possibility of charges, which would stem from an investigation into hush money Trump’s lawyer paid to a porn actress before he was elected in 2016, to cast himself as a victim of political persecution.