Top Senate Republicans went after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Tuesday in response to the likely 2024 hopeful’s recent comments about U.S. involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As part of a Tucker Carlson survey of likely 2024 Republican primary candidates, the governor told the Fox News host in a statement that defending Ukraine from Russia was not a vital American national strategic interest.
“While the U.S. has many vital national interests—securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural and military power of the Chinese Communist Party—becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them,” DeSantis said.
Several top Senate Republicans have since criticized the governor for his flippant response. In a Tuesday interview with right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) distanced himself from the fellow Florida Republican’s stance.
“Obviously, he doesn’t deal with foreign policy every day as governor,” Rubio said when asked about DeSantis’s aim with the comments. “[…] But I will say to you that in terms of my view of the overall issue is I think there’s nuance, because foreign policy is about nuance.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told Politico on Tuesday that he was “disturbed” by the governor’s position.
“I’m disturbed by it. I think he’s a smart guy,” the Houston Republican said. “I want to find out more about it, but I hope he feels like he doesn’t need to take that Tucker Carlson line to be competitive in the primary. It’s important for us to continue to support Ukrainians for our own security.”
And on Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) posted several tweets stressing his support for Ukraine—and shading DeSantis in the process.
“To those who believe that Russia’s unprovoked and barbaric invasion of Ukraine is not a priority for the United States—you are missing a lot,” he wrote.
DeSantis previously expressed support for aiding Ukraine before Russia invaded the country last year, but his about-face could be explained by the response from another 2024 primary challenger: former president Donald Trump. When asked the same question — “Is opposing Russia in Ukraine a vital American national strategist interest?” — Trump reiterated his isolationist stance: “No, but it is for Europe.”
Trump joins other far-right Republicans like Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO), J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Freedom Caucus members in the House who have recently decried U.S. support for Ukraine, with some calling for an end to U.S. military support for the country.
While DeSantis has not yet announced his 2024 plans, it’s widely believed he will run and courting Trump supporters will be a key strategy for his campaign.
Don’t worry, they’ll come around if and when he’s the nominee.
Primaries are almost a year away. By then the situation in the Ukraine might have better clarity. In other words, Russia is on the run and or defeated.
Ok, I’m being hopeful.
I don’t believe that DeSantis will be the nominee. He’s peaked way too soon, and that’s even before the Demo oppo researchers have needed, or felt the time was right, to unleash what they have.
e/t/a:
Speaking of the devil, now he’s after Hyatt.
The DeSantis administration has moved to revoke the Hyatt Regency Miami’s liquor license after it hosted “A Drag Queen Christmas.” Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed a 17-page complaint Tuesday alleging minors “appearing less than 16 years of age” were present at the show, violating a law prohibiting “lascivious exhibition” before children. The filing’s “evidence” that minors were present seems to hinge on photos of people at the event who look like they could be minors. The event required any attendees under 18 to be accompanied by an adult. “Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law,” Bryan Griffin, DeSantis’ press secretary, told Insider. The move comes as the latest in DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ campaign as he likely gears up to run for president, following his takeover of Disney’s self-governing district after the company blasted Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The hotel is allowed to continue selling alcohol until the department makes its final decision, and will have 21 days to request a hearing after that, a spokesperson told Insider.
He has a great personality…for authoritarianism