DeSantis' latest stunt raises legal, moral questions for governor

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Using children and refugees for political stunts is disgusting

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/desantis-latest-stunt-raises-legal-moral-questions-governor-rcna48049?cid=sm_npd_ms_tw_ma

[Update: Rachel Self, a Boston immigration attorney assisting with the migrants’ cases, held a press conference from Martha's Vineyard, fleshing out additional lies the Venezuelans were told at multiple steps. She described their treatment as "sadistic."]

If there’s a moral defense for such cruelty, I can’t think of it. But that’s not only dimension of note. Indeed, there’s no shortage of questions.

Were the migrants in Florida? The Republican governor’s office hasn’t provided the public with details, but by all appearances, the Venezuelans did not begin their American journey in the Sunshine State. It raises the prospect of DeSantis using Florida taxpayer funds to move dozens of people from Texas to Massachusetts.

Who knew this was happening? DeSantis does not appear to have notified officials in Massachusetts or at the Department of Homeland Security, but the Republican’s team did give an exclusive to Fox News.

Who’s Perla? At this point, it’s unclear who Perla is, whether that’s her real name, who paid her, and whether she was an official representative of the Florida governor’s office.

Was this legal under federal law? A variety of Democrats and legal experts yesterday questioned whether the DeSantis administration committed human trafficking. In an especially odd moment yesterday, one of the governor’s own spokespersons published a tweet comparing the DeSantis administration with criminal cartels. Federal law in this area, however, is quite complex and will need additional scrutiny.

Was this legal under state law? According to Florida’s relevant budget language, DeSantis’ administration is only allowed to “transport unauthorized aliens“ from Florida, not other states. If the migrants were in Texas, as appears to be the case, this would appear to be a meaningful problem for the Republican.

Did DeSantis hope to prove that a liberal New England enclave hates immigrants as much as far-right Republicans? Apparently so, but he failed spectacularly.

Was all of this captured on camera? By some unconfirmed accounts, there was a videographer with the migrants, perhaps to be used in future campaign advertising. If the matter comes under investigation, that footage will become highly relevant.

[Walleye]

1. If state funds paid for that video, the public is entitled to see the entire thing

[Jim__]

2. I don't think DeSantis will be troubled by the moral questions.

[we can do it]

3. Start by not calling it a stunt.

[Me.]

4. But Does Anybody Care?

he's still doing it

[SledDriver]

5. Nothing will happen because IOKIYAR