Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for her comments on the murder of George Floyd. DeSantis accused Haley of “virtue signaling” to liberals after Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer in May 2020.
Haley had previously expressed her personal anguish over Floyd’s murder, calling it “personal and painful for every American.” She also acknowledged the widespread protests sparked by Floyd’s death, some of which turned violent.
During the final GOP debate before the Iowa caucus, DeSantis described the protests as “the worst rioting in the modern history of this country” and accused Haley of aligning with the left and accepting their narrative to impress people who do not support their party.
Both Haley and DeSantis have been vocal critics of the Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged in response to police-related killings of Black Americans. Haley defended her stance by highlighting her experience as governor of South Carolina, where she dealt with a racially motivated shooting at a Charleston church in 2015. She emphasized the unity and peace that followed the tragedy, contrasting it with the riots often associated with protests.
Haley also reiterated her decision to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol after the church shooting, stating that the flag symbolized a “brutally oppressive past” for many.
In response to Haley’s criticism, DeSantis denied having made similar comments about Floyd’s death and continued to argue against her position on the protests and racial tensions in the country.
The exchange between the two prominent Republican figures highlights a broader ideological divide within the party regarding racial justice and the appropriate response to social unrest. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.