DeSantis' nightmare scenario: How Florida governor could be faced with signing ... trends now
If a New York grand jury indicts Donald Trump in connection with hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, it could deliver another twist to the bitter rivalry between the former president and his likely rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
For if Trump refuses to travel from his Mar-a-Lago home to surrender voluntarily to police in Manhattan, it would fall to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to sign a local arrest warrant.
The situation may be hypothetical but it is one of the potential scenarios that could play out if the nation enters the uncharted territory of a former president — and a current presidential candidate — being indicted.
And it could put DeSantis in a terrible bind.
Legal experts say he would have little choice to authorize the extradition of a Florida resident to New York, knowing that he will be forever blamed by the Trump base as the man who signed the former president's arrest warrant.
There could be yet another twist in the legal saga playing out in New York, give Florida Governor Ron DeSantis a critical role in sending Donald Trump to be arrested in Manhattan
Trump supporters rallied in support of the former president near his Florida home of Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday, the day he said he was going to be arrested
For the time being, the grand jury appears to be wrapping up its work, hearing from its final witnesses before considering whether to hand down an indictment.
'Assuming it is, Trump would be notified and given the opportunity to come to New York voluntarily for booking (fingerprints and photo) and shortly thereafter brought to the judge for arraignment on the charges (where Trump can plead not guilty and a determination of whether he will be released pending the trial, which he certainly will be given the nature of the offenses, although he would likely have to give up his passport),' said Joshua Dressler
'If he refuses to come to NY, it is not beyond the realm of possibility they might try to handle the matter remotely.
'Otherwise, yes, an extradition hearing would be required. I think it unlikely DeSantis would try to intervene in any way.'
The case blew up in the media at the weekend when Trump himself posted a message saying he expected to be arrested on Tuesday.
Trump supporters expressed outrage at what they said
