Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at pro-law enforcement rally on Staten Island
NEW YORK -- Ron DeSantis on Monday got a warm welcome on Staten Island, where he slammed New York's crime policies before a law-and-order audience.
However, the potential Republican candidate for president got the cold shoulder from Mayor Eric Adams.
A special campaign song played, but you could hardly see DeSantis, as he was mobbed by supporters after a Presidents Day foray into what might once have been enemy territory, the land of Donald Trump.
"This idea of no cash bail and you just release 'em right back on to the street, and I read that New York is the only state that doesn't allow judges to consider, when they're making a bail determination, whether someone's a danger to the community," DeSantis said.
Florida's governor is expected to announce this spring that he is running for president. He was introduced by Lee Zeldin, whose own law-and-order platform gave Kathy Hochul a run for her money in the governor's race.
"We want streets that have law-abiding New Yorkers in charge of them, as opposed to criminals," Zeldin said.
DeSantis never mentioned former President Trump, but his decision to go to Staten Island was the equivalent of firing a missile at Mar-a-Lago with the message "I'm coming for you" inscribed on its fuselage.
"As much as I'm proud of Florida doing well, I want the country to do well," DeSantis said. "We fight the woke when they go after our law enforcement. We do not surrender to the woke mob. Our state is where woke goes to die."
Trump couldn't have enjoyed the fact that some of the attendees sported DeSantis-for-president t-shirts.
"I think Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley would be a great ticket, don't you?" said Ron Arabia of Tottenville.
"I believe we need young blood and he's a perfect candidate if he runs for president. He's young, he's a military man and he's a family man. Look at Florida. Florida is booming," another supporter said.
Welcome to NYC, @GovRonDeSantis, a place where we don’t ban books, discriminate against our LGBTQ+ neighbors, use asylum seekers as props, or let the government stand between a woman and health care.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 20, 2023
We’re happy to teach you something about values while you’re here. https://t.co/o2CgOt1SES
Mayor Adams gave DeSantis the equivalent of a Bronx cheer, tweeting, "Welcome to NYC, @GovRonDeSantis, a place where we don't ban books, discriminate against our LGBTQ+ neighbors, use asylum seekers as props or let the government stand between a woman and health care."
Trump responded by announcing his Iowa campaign staff and bragged about a poll that has him beating DeSantis in the primary.