on DeSantis has been cracking down on a popular cause among fellow Republicans: criminal justice reform.
DeSantis’ move to the right on criminal justice reform in part reveals that violent crime can be a fruitful focus for Republican primary candidates, and allows him to draw a contrast with Trump, the current frontrunner in the race. Amid DeSantis’ pressureTrump has begun backing away from what he used to tout as a major legislative victory. When Fox News asked Trump in June about sentencing reform, he spoke of a new proposal to punish drug dealers with the death penalty.
As Trump’s most competitive challenger at this point in the race, DeSantis has significant influence over the rhetoric and policy positions animating the primary. Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, who is running for President in 2024, said on the campaign trail it is time to “” the First Step Act. Former Republican Congressman Doug Collins, who sponsored the House version of the First Step Act, is worried about the ripple effects DeSantis’ position could have on the rest of the party.