Gabriel Halford reporting for Channel 33
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida governor Ron Desantis categorically denied advanced knowledge of the FBI’s recent raid on Mar a Lago despite mounting evidence to the contrary. In a press conference on August 26th, Desantis responded to questions about his prior knowledge of the claim, stating, “The FBI does not generally contact state governors to inform them of ongoing investigations.” However, aides close to Desantis – a possible challenger to Donald Trump in the 2024 elections – paint a very different picture.
“Governor DeSantis was briefed on a federal operation occurring in Palm Beach in the locale of Mar a Lago on the day before the raid but was not told specifics other than the approximate time,” said Kimberly Fiori, a close aide to Governor Desantis. “But he was not specifically told that it was directed against President Trump.”
While Republicans broadly decried the actions of the FBI in its seizure of documents from Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate, Desantis was initially supportive of the bureau. Since then, his messaging has wavered, calling the FBI operation, “Totally off the rails.”