'He owes him': Ron DeSantis faces backlash for committing to pardon Donald Trump if elected president

DES MOINES, IOWA: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced people’s wrath online after claiming that if he became President, he would pardon Donald Trump if the former president was found guilty of any of the dozens of allegations against him.

The 45-year-old Presidential GOP nominee was at a campaign event in Iowa on Friday, December 29 when reporters asked him about a pardon for Trump that he had "already said that long ago."

To which, DeSantis replied, "I think we got to move on as a country and, you know, like Ford did to Nixon, because the divisions are just not in the country’s interest.”

Once more asked if he would pardon Trump directly, DeSantis replied, "Yeah, I said that months ago." When NBC News questioned the governor, if he wanted to pardon Trump who had been found guilty if elected, his campaign spokesperson said, "Correct.”

At a campaign event in New Hampshire on Thursday, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley offered arguments that aligned with those of DeSantis. She repeated her June statement, stating that she would probably pardon the former president if he was found guilty.

"I would pardon Trump if he is found guilty," Haley said in response to a question from the audience, according to NBC News.

"A leader needs to think about what's in the best interests of the country. What's in the best interests of the country is not to have an 80-year-old man sitting in jail that continues to divide our country. What’s in the best interest of the country would be to pardon him so that we can move on as a country and no longer talk about him,” she added.

What did DeSantis say about pardoning Trump?

Since the beginning of his campaign in May, DeSantis has appeared to skirt the subject of pardoning Trump if he wins the presidency.

He appeared to admit that he believed granting clemency was in the best interests of the nation in a late July interview with former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.

“Well, what I’ve said is very simple. I’m going to do what’s right for the country," DeSantis said, adding "I don’t think it would be good for the country to have an almost 80-year-old former president go to prison."

DeSantis has faced the hypothetical question at other points on the campaign trail. During his first campaign stop Friday at a veterans outreach center in Iowa, a voter asked DeSantis outright if he would pardon the former president.

With a quick change of topic, the governor of Florida declared, "I've addressed that, but that's a different thing."

Internet reacts to DeSantis’ claims

After DeSantis’ claims surfaced on social media, many users slammed him for predicting that he would pardon Trump if he became the president.

“Of course, he owes him. Mafia people have to pay back for services,” one user slammed. “Another candidate, Haley, and now DeSantis, disqualified since they are proclaiming they would PARDON DJT!” a second user fumed.

“Cowards of the GOP! A party that believes, laws, rules, regulations and the constitution don’t apply to them!” a third user attacked, while a fourth one wrote “I don’t think Ron has to stress about that possibility. 🤣🤣🤣”

“Good thing we don't have to worry about that hypothetical,” a fifth user joked. “Pardon him for what? I thought he was innocent and immune and chosen by God,” one more said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.