DeSantis Stands by Vandal of Satanic Statue, Rejects Recognition of Satanism as Religion

Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has pledged to contribute to the legal fees of a man accused of vandalizing a Satanic Temple statue in the Iowa capitol building. DeSantis argued that Satanism should not be recognized as a religion by the federal government. The display, featuring a Baphomet statue, sparked a debate over freedom of religion, with some Iowa Republicans calling for its removal while others defended it as an example of free speech. A crowdfunding campaign has raised over $30,000 for the defendant's legal defense fund.