Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has come to the defense of fellow Republican Ron Desantis, hitting back at recent criticism from President Donald Trump.
The president recently blasted Desantis for his handling of the coronavirus crisis in Florida, questioning his credentials and competency. But Governor Reynolds believes Desantis to be the right choice for the job, expressing her support for him in a series of comments during a press conference on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at the Statehouse, Reynolds was adamant that Desantis is taking the right approach to containing the spread of COVID-19. She argued that the Republican governor was doing “all the right things to protect Floridians” and that his care and ability to respond quickly had been “clearly demonstrated.”
The Iowa Governor was also quick to suggest that critics should not focus on matters of state, but rather concentrate on solutions. “Let’s focus on what we can do to help our states and protect our Nation,” she said.
Reynolds also sought to quell any doubts about Desantis’ tenacity, noting that out of the 50 governors in the US, he’d been amongst the first to implement social distancing guidance in March.
The Iowa Governor’s show of support for Desantis will be seen as a rebuke of Trump’s recent criticism. After initially attacking the Florida governor over his handling of the virus, the president seemed to retract some of his harsh words, tweeting on May 25th that he had “great respect” for Desantis.
Reynolds has become well known for her forthrightness and her willingness to support a fellow Republican, despite potential negative backlash. On this occasion, she has made no secret of her preference for the Florida Governor, effectively hitting back at Trump’s criticism by standing up for Desantis.
Iowa Gov. Reynolds Retaliates Against Trump with Support for DeSantis
