As he nears the end of his second term this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) may be gearing up for a new job — this time at the federal level.
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering DeSantis for the full-time attorney general position based on recommendations from mutual friends of the president and governor, according to the Wall Street Journal. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is filling that role in the meantime, but some Florida Republicans feel DeSantis would be a good fit.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is running to succeed DeSantis, said as much this week.
“I think he actually would make a very good attorney general, because knowing Gov. DeSantis, he will make sure that he looks through everything with a fine-tooth comb to hold people accountable,” Donalds told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. “And I think that’s a spot he could be incredibly well-suited for. But there’s so many different opportunities.”
DeSantis has denied having discussions with the White House about a Cabinet role in the second Trump administration.
“No one’s ever asked me to do anything, and I’ve never asked to do anything,” he said.
While he’s focused on finishing his final year in office, speculation is mounting about whether he will launch another bid for the presidency.
Right-wing personality Laura Loomer tweeted on Friday that DeSantis may announce his 2028 presidential campaign in Miami on June 11, per her sources. On that date, he is appearing at a one-night-only event organized by political commentator Dave Rubin.
After reading a New York Post headline about the governor’s hypothetical 2028 aspirations, Rubin himself wondered whether his guest “will have any big announcements to make at our show at the [Fillmore] on June 11th.”
DeSantis has been coy lately about the possibility of another presidential campaign, but he did leave the door open to running for political office again in the future.
“I’m asked, ‘Would you ever run again?’ I’m in my mid-40s, so I couldn’t say I would never do it,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are the two GOP frontrunners for assuming the presidency after Trump, so DeSantis would have to go toe-to-toe with one or both of them if he were to enter the race.
Not to mention, he would have to convince MAGA supporters to vote for him over Trump’s presumed successor. The last time he ran for president, DeSantis was forced to drop out of the GOP primary.
Despite their bickering at the time, Trump gave DeSantis a friendly phone call after the latter ended his campaign. Trump only wished his primary opponent were harsher against him. The two, often seen golfing together in Florida, have been relatively close since then.
DeSantis has recently been more aggressive about implementing Republican policies that are on Trump’s agenda, such as redistricting. A similar pattern played out leading up to his 2024 campaign, with the governor prioritizing legislation that mirrors national GOP priorities.
Therefore, it’s not unlikely that DeSantis could be preparing for a presidential campaign. He would just have to overcome his socially awkward demeanor on the campaign trail.
DESANTIS DEJA VU: FLORIDA GOVERNOR FOLLOWS FAMILIAR SCRIPT FROM FAILED 2024 CAMPAIGN
A spot on the Supreme Court has also been floated as a possible role for DeSantis, one that may better suit his strengths as a lawyer. Recent reports indicate he has been exploring that option in the event an elderly conservative justice retires.
“I’m not saying that there’s not merit to people that are raising that,” DeSantis said. “I’m just saying, how do you replace Clarence Thomas? How do you replace Sam Alito?”