Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “Ron DeSanctimonious just fired, like on “The Apprentice,” his friend and top campaign official, Phil Cox, because his campaign is a complete disaster, and 2028 is looking really bad. His campaign manager, who so deftly handled the Ted Cruz campaign against me, wanted to work for me, but was turned down – a “money grubber” like no other, and won’t quit until he’s got every last penny. Now “Rob” must change the theme of his campaign from NEVER BACK DOWN to WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING!”
Florida governor and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently expressed his intention to repeal the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill signed into law by former President Donald Trump. During an interview with Ben Shapiro, DeSantis criticized the act, referring to it as a “jailbreak bill” and claiming that it has resulted in the release of dangerous individuals who have gone on to commit further crimes.
The First Step Act was signed into law by President Trump in December 2018 after receiving support from a wide range of advocates, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The bill aimed to address issues related to mass incarceration in the United States and received bipartisan support in Congress. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mike Lee (R-UT) played significant roles in building a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill, which ultimately received unanimous consent in the Senate. Similar bills were also introduced in the House by Representatives Doug Collins (R-GA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
When Trump signed the First Step Act, he praised it as a major achievement that would enhance community safety and provide second chances to deserving individuals. DeSantis’s stance on repealing the act is seen by many as a challenge to Trump’s conservative credentials as the 2024 GOP primary season approaches.
“Under the Trump administration, you know, he enacted a bill, basically a jailbreak bill. It’s called the First Step Act,” DeSantis said in a clip his campaign later shared online.
“It has allowed dangerous people out of prison who have now re-offended and really, really hurt a number of people. So one of the things I want to do as president is go to Congress and seek the repeal of the First Step Act. If you are in jail, you should serve your time. And the idea that they’re releasing people who have not been rehabilitated early so that they can prey on people in our society is a huge, huge mistake
It’s worth noting that the First Step Act has been supported by criminal justice reform advocates who argue for a more rehabilitative and fairer approach to the criminal justice system. The act includes provisions for sentencing reforms, expanding opportunities for prisoner education and rehabilitation programs, and improving prison conditions.
DeSantis’s proposal to repeal the First Step Act highlights a divergence within the Republican Party regarding criminal justice reform, with some favoring a more punitive approach and others advocating for a focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates.
