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Who is Jimmy Patronis? Florida CFO faces backlash for suggesting taxpayer-funded legal defense for Donald Trump

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis proposed a plan to use taxpayers' funds to pay legal expenses of Donald Trump and other presidential candidates of state

KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA: The chief financial officer of Florida, Jimmy Patronis, has sparked a widespread debate for his new proposal to use taxpayer funds to pay for Donald Trump's legal expenses. The unprecedented proposal received severe backlash from the public.

Patronis, who also serves as the State Fire Marshal and member of the Florida Cabinet, addressed the audience at the Republican Party's Freedom Summit in Kissimmee, Florida, on November 4.

During his speech, he proposed a legal defense fund, which he coined the "Defending Florida Fighters Fund," to support any Florida presidential candidate "targeted by politically motivated prosecutors."

He was mainly referring to the charges on former president Trump, what he believed was a "double standard of justice."

According to the Washington Post, Trump, the top contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is facing 44 federal charges and 47 state charges in four separate indictments.

The felonies include his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, allegedly mishandling classified documents, forging business records, and a hush-money case to a porn star during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Jimmy Patronis wants to fix the 'double standard of justice'

The 51-year-old Republican did not refrain from explicitly expressing his support for Trump and stating that the charges against the former president are only politically motivated moves while speaking at the GOP Summit.

"Imagine if we could fix the double standard of justice at the federal level. If we could fix the double standard of justice that doesn't lock up a Hunter Biden but does everything possible to prosecute a President Donald Trump," Patronis said at the Summit.

He continued suggesting the best possible solution to save his fellow party members targeted by the Democrats. "Here's where I'm going with this. I think we need to set up a new legal defense fund for any Florida presidential candidate to use when they are targeted by politically motivated prosecutors by the Department of Justice."

The CFO went on supporting the suggestion by saying that Florida is in "the best fiscal health" than ever and it "wouldn't hurt" to set aside the state's budget surplus to support Trunmpmand other Republican White House hopefuls from Florida.

He further stated that Floridians have a responsibility to protect them when they "are brave enough to put their name on the ballot."

"We can use this to protect any Floridian who wants to defend themselves and make sure that these politically motivated prosecutors don't magically appear during election cycles," said the CFO.

Internet annoyed with Jimmy Patronis' funding proposal

There was swift backlash to the CFO's controversial plan. Floridians asked him to use the stat fund to address issues in the state, like excessive insurance premiums, rather than funding political candidates' legal expenses.

One user stated, "This is irresponsible and outrageous. There should be an audit done to make sure he hasn't misused taxpayer money. The Florida Attorney General's Office needs to be notified of this."

Another user opined, "He needs to be removed from office for suggesting this. He's brought his New York corruption to Florida with him. Don't let someone like this taint the Florida government."

"Nope!!!!! My tax dollars are not going to fund him!" said a third user.

"Just like that @JimmyPatronis begins to destroy his chances of ever being governor. It's not your money Jimmy. It's our money," said another user.

While a fifth user wrote, "Jimmy Patronis is out of his mind. Florida is not paying for the Billionaire Con-man's legal issues."

"NO! Those are the paid taxes of Floridians. Trump made his bed. His followers can pay for him. Patronis trying to steal our tax dollars for Trump who can't stop shooting himself in the foot is not going to happen. Kiss your political career goodbye in the state of Fla, Patronis," threatened a user.

Another one stated, "He should be fired. Fired."

"Jimmy, this is an awful take. I do not want my tax dollars going to that despicable billionaire," said a Floridian