Washington Post editorial lays out the real problem with Ron DeSantis’ pardon talks

The Washington Post's editorial board has delivered a critical reaction to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) insisting that he would not rule out the possibility of granting pardons to the Jan. 6 rioters and former President Donald Trump.

According to the board, DeSantis' controversial remarks suggest he is running for president as an "echo rather than an alternative” to the former president.

The editorial board did not mince words in its assessment of the Florida governor.

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"Mr. DeSantis’s latest effort to indulge the MAGA fantasy that the insurrectionists’ actions could be justified came the same day that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, the longest prison term yet related to the Capitol insurrection," the editorial board wrote.

"Floating pardons gives Jan. 6 rioters hope that they won’t be held accountable. Comments from Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, the two leading contenders for the 2024 Republican nomination, will discourage plea deals and encourage defendants to drag out proceedings in hopes that they might get clemency in 20 months," the op-ed reads.

"It also heightens the danger that people will again engage in violence if they don’t like the outcome of next year’s elections, calculating that they might receive pardons if their preferred candidate takes power," it added.

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Washington Post's op-ed comes just days after DeSantis announced his presidential bid for 2024. DeSantis made the announcement on Wednesday, May 24 during a glitchy Twitter Spaces event.

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