EXCLUSIVE: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political team hit back Friday night after Al Sharpton criticized the 2024 presidential hopeful during a eulogy for a man who died in the New York City subway system.
New York authorities said Jordan Neely, 30, died May 1 of neck compression after Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old Navy veteran, charged him with murder involuntary in the second degree.
DeSantis, also a veteran, praised Penny on Tuesday for taking steps to protect others, saying, “I think being able to step in as a good Samaritan and protect people, I think that’s something that was the right thing to do. And I don’t think must be processed.”
Sharpton delivered a eulogy for Neely at Harlem’s Mount Neboh Baptist Church Friday morning, criticizing DeSantis for his comments.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Al Sharpton (Fox News)
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“I know, Governor DeSantis, you’re taking black and LGBTQ and Latino history out of the school, but I have a Bible to put in the governor’s office,” Sharpton said. “Because apparently you don’t know what the Good Samaritan was. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan.”
DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin blasted Sharpton for using his praise to attack the governor.
“Democrats never miss an opportunity to make a political coup and try to further divide our country, even at a funeral,” Griffin told Fox News Digital. “Hold your breath, Reverend Sharpton. These attacks just don’t work on Governor DeSantis. He’s not afraid to speak the truth.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after signing three education bills into law on the New College of Florida campus in Sarasota, Florida, Monday, May 15, 2023. (Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden prepares to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday, March 5, 2023, to commemorate the 58th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” a landmark event in the civil rights movement. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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Sharpton said during Neely’s funeral that “we were all embraced.”
“We’re not here because of natural causes, we’re here because of unnatural policies,” Sharpton said.
Adam Sabes of Fox News contributed to this report.
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Jessica Chasmar is a digital writer on the politics team at Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Jessica.Chasmar@fox.com.
