FL GOPers cancel plan for state to pay Trump’s legal fees after DeSantis threatens veto: report

Just a couple of hours after Florida GOP lawmakers introduced a bill that allocate millions of dollars in state funds to lawyers' fees for victims of "political discrimination" Monday, the Republican leaders have withdrawn the legislation, Politico reports.

The bill, backed by Jimmy Patronis, the Sunshine State's GOP chief financial officer, and state Senator Ileana Garcia (R), who served in former President Donald Trump administration, would have supported the MAGA hopeful with "up to $5 million" in legal expenses.

According to Politico, after introducing the legislation Garcia said in a statement, "We’re in the midst of an historic moment where we’re watching an election that’s trying to be stolen by left wing prosecutors, the Biden Administration and even Blue States. They’re not trying to win at the ballot box; they’re trying to keep President Trump off the ballot by weaponizing the courts. Having a Floridian in the White House is good for our state — and anything we can do to support Florida Presidential candidates, like President Trump, will not only benefit our state, but our nation."

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

However, the state Republicans made the decision to renege on the move after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced his disapproval via X (formerly Twitter), by responding to a Politico tweet that read, "Some Florida Republicans want taxpayers to pay Trump's legal bills."

The governor replied, "But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen…"

Politico reports "less than two hours" after DeSantis' response, Garcia said, "This bill was filed on January 5th amidst a crowded primary, including two Florida residents. My concern was the political weaponization against conservative candidates, and while @JimmyPatronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign through the primary, one frontrunner now remains, and he can handle himself. I will be withdrawing the bill."

READ MORE: 'Political discrimination': Florida Republicans push for state to pay Trump’s legal bills