Related video above: State legislative session to discuss bills that impact children
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A new Florida bill would create a fund that would allow up to $5 million in grants to pay the legal fees of former President Donald Trump, or any other Florida resident running for president who has been “subject to political discrimination.”
SB 1740, which was filed earlier this month by Senator Ileana Garcia (R-Miami), would create the Defending Freedom Fighters Trust Fund. The bill has the support of Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
“We’ve got a Florida Man — Donald Trump — running for President, and he’s facing ongoing legal challenges from Democrats in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta,” Patronis said in a statement.
Patronis called the four criminal cases against Trump a “fake witch-hunt.”
“Thank you to Senator Garcia who had the guts to fight back against the corrupt Biden regime and put freedom, justice and her constituents first,” he said.
The bill would provide grants to “qualified persons” to pay for any legal fees for criminal charges “brought by a U.S. public entity.” The bill would go into effect upon the passing of SB 1738, which lays out the conditions for the fund.
If passed, the fund would expire in July 2028, unless it’s terminated sooner.
The money for the fund would come from voluntary contributions that can be made when residents apply for a Florida driver’s license, according to the bill. Residents can already opt to contribute $1 to various other charities when applying for a license, such as Florida Heart Research Institute, League Against Cancer, Disabled American Veterans, Department of Florida, and Support Our Troops.
Additional money could be allocated by legislative appropriations.
Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, blasted Republicans for proposing the bill amid an affordability crisis in the state.
“What this shows you is who the Florida GOP is loyal to, because it’s certainly not the people of Florida,” Fried said in a statement to News Channel 8. “They’re quick and ready to dole out up to $5 million dollars for Trump, but have yet to put forward a solution to our property insurance and housing crisis, the 4,000-teacher shortage, or the crippling costs of healthcare because the legislature simply refuses to expand Medicaid. Senator Garcia’s victim-card bill is a disgrace and we expect nothing less from Jimmy. This bill should inflame any Floridian who cares where their tax dollars are going.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated that he would veto the bill if it passes in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen…” he said, sharing a headline that says “Some Florida Republicans want taxpayers to pay Trump’s legal bills.”