In response to news first reported by the Wall Street Journal yesterday that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is being considered to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Florida Democratic Party released the following statement: 

“Americans will be in grave danger if Ron DeSantis is nominated as our next Secretary of Defense,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “This is the most dangerous potential appointment yet because we know what he might do as secretary - there have been clear warning signs in Florida already. As governor, he has shown he is willing to violate the Constitution and bend and break the law at all costs. He tried to build his own army, kidnapped migrants and sent the Florida National Guard to the Texas border - and now Donald Trump wants to give this person the authority to lead the most powerful military in the world. Hell no. 

“Make no mistake, if Ron DeSantis is nominated as the U.S. Secretary of Defense — he will have no problem weaponizing the military to go after ‘enemies from within’, arrest political opponents, ban peaceful protests, round up immigrants and use military force against the American people. Our servicemen and women did not sign up for this. 

“The American military is the most powerful and lethal force in the world and the risk of handing over the keys to our safety and sovereignty to Ron DeSantis is too high. The Florida Democratic Party stands ready to warn the rest of the nation - and the world - what is at risk if the situation goes from bad to worse, and the Trump transition team decides to replace serial abuser Pete Hegseth with Ron DeSantis as the next nominee for Secretary of Defense.”