DeSantis chides Trump while campaigning in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spent a large part of his time Tuesday at the VFW Post 788 bashing the front-runner in the Republican presidential race.

Former President Donald Trump had criticized Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for endorsing DeSantis before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses Jan. 15. Trump’s support among likely caucusgoers tops 50 percent, according to two leading polls. DeSantis is in a distant second place, at 19 percent.

“I don’t like the fact that Donald Trump has attacked her for supporting me,” DeSantis told a crowd of about 60 people. “It’s not all about you. It’s about a larger mission here. And he’s attacking us for selfish reasons. And that is wrong.”

Answering a question about how DeSantis would fill a Supreme Court seat if elected, DeSantis said he would choose someone more conservative than Trump’s appointees.

“So if you look at Donald Trump, he appointed three justices. I think the justices he appointed are good justices. But if you look at how they’ve performed, none of them are at the level of (Justice Clarence) Thomas or (Justice Samuel) Alito. So the issue is, if you’re replacing Clarence Thomas with somebody like (Justice Brett) Kavanaugh, who’s a good judge, that moves the court to the left.”

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An audience member asked DeSantis what he will do to protect election integrity. The candidate said Florida has made changes, including putting some limits on third parties collecting and returning mail-in ballots. But he said Republicans can’t cede early voting to Democrats.

“Donald Trump told people in 2020 ‘don’t ever send in a mail ballot’,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “We had elderly people who didn’t want to go to the polls because they were concerned about COVID. Why would you tell them not to send in a mail ballot?”

DeSantis also criticized Trump’s swing in rhetoric about abortion. Although Trump denounced abortion in 2020, calling every child a gift from God, Trump now has criticized bills — like one passed in Iowa but on hold while in court — that seek to restrict abortion after about six weeks.

“Donald Trump has attacked those heartbeat protection bills as a terrible, terrible thing. That’s what he says,” DeSantis said. “Democrats are using his words to weaponize against pro-lifers now. What he did was very, very damaging.”

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U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, answered questions alongside DeSantis, trumpeting the candidate’s achievements in Florida and DeSantis’s military service.

“I want somebody who can serve for eight years. I want somebody who has delivered on every promise. I want somebody who wore the uniform,” Roy said. “He’s going to carry us forward.”

Trump has long opposed Roy, who voted against overturning the 2020 election. Following Roy’s endorsement of DeSantis, Trump suggested another Republican run against the Texas congressman.

“It just shows that with Trump it’s all about if you kiss the ring,” DeSantis said.

Brad Havran, 60, drove from Shellsburg to hear DeSantis speak Tuesday. Havran is leaning toward caucusing for Trump, but wanted to hear more about what DeSantis would do to help the economy.

“I’m retired, so the economy is really important to me. I like to see my 401(k) balance go up,” he said.

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Libby Setter, 19, a student at the University of Northern Iowa, brought her mom, Stephanie, to the DeSantis event after Libby got a text about it Monday night.

“I like to be educated and learn what I’m voting for,” Libby Setter said.

The Prairie High School graduate wasn’t sure what to expect from the political event, her first. “I thought it would be bigger,” she said.

The VFW hall, with bingo numbers and a Christmas tree in the corner, was full with standing room-only for the hourlong event. At least a half-dozen veterans — many wearing baseball caps noting their military branch — raised their hands when asked about military service.

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