Jacob Ogles
As U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist watched barricades rise in Washington, he expressed anger with Gov. Ron DeSantis for remaining silent on “The Big Lie.”
Namely, the St. Petersburg Democrat and candidate for Governor wants his Republican opponent to condemn Donald Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“It is absolutely disgusting and unsurprising to witness Governor DeSantis once again fail to condemn tomorrow’s unpatriotic rally,” Crist said. “The Governor is continuing in his months-long silent support of the insurrectionists who attempted to destroy the foundation of our democracy and their newest plans to once again march on our Capitol — even as Florida leads the nation in arrests related to January 6.”
Of note, DeSantis, who previously served in Congress, immediately denounced violence on Jan. 6.
“Violence or rioting of any kind is unacceptable and the perpetrators must face the full weight of the law,” DeSantis said in a statement on Jan. 6. “The Capitol Police do an admirable job and I thank them for their hard work.”
But DeSantis has been far more cagey about the what motivated insurrectionists. Former President Trump has repeatedly asserted the November election was stolen from him by President Joe Biden, despite no evidence of voter fraud on a widespread scale to change the outcome of the election. Democrats have said that lie fueled stricter voting rules signed into law by DeSantis this year during an exclusive television hit for Fox News.
The Governor, on the same network two days after the election, suggested legislatures in states Biden won by close margins, if lawmakers suspected foul play, could submit an alternate slate of electors.
“Under Article II of the Constitution, presidential electors are done by the legislatures and the schemes they create and the framework. And if there’s departure from that, if they’re not following law, if they’re ignoring law, then they can provide remedies as well. So I would exhaust every option to make sure we have a fair count,” he said.
Since then, DeSantis has acknowledged Biden won but declined to say if he thought the election was fair.
Now, Trump supporters are scheduled to rally again in Washington, this time decrying those arrested in the Jan. 6 riots as being unfairly treated and detained as “political prisoners.” Trump has echoed those statements.
Crist said the Governor needs to denounce the new rally and the lies behind it.
“Floridians will hold Governor DeSantis accountable for his complicity and unwillingness to protect and defend our communities from those who sought to harm our republic,” Crist said. “The Governor has an obligation to the people he serves to publicly denounce tomorrow’s rally and the false claims that these insurrectionists are political prisoners being unjustly persecuted. Where do you stand, Governor? Floridians demand an answer.”
11 comments
Alex
September 17, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Personally I’d rather deport the terrorist scum and anyone who supports them.
Kathy
September 17, 2021 at 6:32 pm
I don’t think any Floridians think Desantis is going to denounce anything that Trump is involved with. Trump saw nothing but “love” and “a lot of good people” battering Capitol Police officers. In his speech prior to the insurrection, he told his minions to march to the Capitol and he would march with them. He did nothing more than hide. Desantis is cut from the same mold. If you don’t want to play by his rules, he will take his toys, go home and attempt to pass or write new bills to put you in your place. I don’t trust him, he is another bully and certainly doesn’t have Floridians best interests at heart. As if Florida wasn’t the brunt of jokes already, he has proved nothing but fodder for the news affiliates (except for Fox, of course).
Evan Miller
September 18, 2021 at 8:42 am
How is that Biden thing working out for you?
Mark Biondolino
September 18, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Much Better than the alternative !
Tom
September 18, 2021 at 4:18 pm
Really?
How’s that you Manchurian no mind.
Trump on his worst day is 109% better. Let’s go.
The southern border. Disaster surrender.
Afghanistan: disaster, surrender, death 13 soldiers.
Economy, 11 million unemployed jobs.
Minorities suffering.
Inflation 6%. Take home pay wiped out. crushed.
Gas prices through roof. Pipeline cancelled.
Just a disaster.
How’s your Biden now.l
Nothing like Dem A Dolts!
Evan Miller
September 18, 2021 at 6:29 pm
So you like 5.6% year over year inflation. Who doesn’t like paying more for food. And gas, over a dollar per gallon increase. A liberal utopia. And insulin prices are through the roof. You can’t really believe the mierda you peddling.
Laurie Campbell
September 25, 2021 at 8:00 pm
You only believe what you want. Not the truth.People like those who wrote the article spew the same thing from every article. I wish they would actually do research and just be an unbiased reporter.
Tom
September 17, 2021 at 9:16 pm
We denounce Alex and Kathy. Are you married? Socialists brother and sister.
Crist is a cheap shot and F P again perpetuates opponents smears and lies.
Kathy stop blabbering, it’s pathetic. Wah, Wah.
Ron Ogden
September 18, 2021 at 7:19 am
Crist denounces silence? What a laugh. Not a peep outa that creep about Biden’s Afghan disaster, about the disorder at the border, about generals usurping civilian control of the military and spooking for the Chinese, about unprecedented shortages in world wide supply lines, about dollar-devaluation like we haven’t seen in decades, and about fracturing our relationships with one of our critical allies, France, so he can pop off to the Chinese. Where is Crist in any of this? Nowhere. He is the nowhere man.
Kaitlyn
September 19, 2021 at 1:38 pm
I’m a lifelong registered Florida Democrat. I remember when Charlie Crist, as a Republican Governor, was a staunch pro-lifer backing a fetal heartbeat bill which would deny women their access to a legal abortion. I also remember the chain gangs along Florida’s Highways, as well as Crist’s constant pandering to the religious right. But his horrible legacy as Governor is backing, and with the help of right-wing nut job John Stemberger, backing a discriminatory gay marriage ban in the state of Florida which is still enshrined in our state’s Constitution to this day. When Charlie Crist ran for Governor as a Democrat and lost against a horrible, corrupt candidate like Rick Scott, that should have disqualified him from future political runs. But as usual, the pathetic, Florida Dems will always back the worst candidate possible for the general. I feel very pessimistic about our chances in 2022 defeating DeSantis. If Charlie Crist is the nominee, my husband and I, progressive activists will not vote for him. We need a solid progressive, not a disingenuous, flip-flopping, white male, former Republican who will say or do anything to get elected.
Ron Ogden
September 20, 2021 at 8:55 am
The Greenies are looking for people. Maybe you’re Governorship material. You can leave a voice message at 561-907-7880
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