Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who appears to be growing closer to aligning himself with Trump each passing day, made an appearance in Miami on Tuesday during the court hearing of former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the 2024 presidential race. During this event, a Trump supporter named Laura Loomer handed Ramaswamy a megaphone, allowing him to pose a thought-provoking question to all the candidates vying for the 2024 U.S. presidential position. Ramaswamy challenged them, stating:

“I challenge every US Presidential candidate to join me in standing for TRUTH. Commit to pardon Donald Trump for these federal charges on Day 1, or explain why you won’t. No one should hide. Not Biden. Not DeSantis. Not Haley. Not Pence. Not RFK. Not Scott. Not anyone. Principles over politics.”

Several candidates expressed their views on the matter. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chose not to respond. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is known for his anti-Trump stance, stated, “Can’t imagine I would remember.” Nikki Haley, seeking to distinguish herself from the others, declared that she would be inclined to grant a pardon. Asa Hutchinson, on the other hand, firmly expressed his opposition, deeming a pardon offensive.

Mike Pence, Trump’s former Vice President from 2017 to 2020, took a more cautious approach, indicating that he would let the process unfold, implying he would not pardon Trump. Larry Elder, primarily focused on California, made a remark about concentrating on local crime, which was largely unrelated to the current situation and essentially amounted to a “no” response.

Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to comment on any initiatives put forth by Republican candidates, a move that can be understood as an attempt to avoid alienating the left-wing base. However, given RFK Jr.’s strong opposition to the FBI and DOJ, along with his calls to dismantle them, it can be inferred that he would support a pardon. Lastly, Senator Tim Scott stated that he preferred not to engage in hypothetical discussions.

Ramaswamy would take to Twitter, sharing the results of the question he posed to every Presidental candidate, saying:

“Yesterday, I challenged every US Presidential candidate to join me in standing for TRUTH. Commit to pardon Trump for the politicized federal charges against him, or explain why not.

Public responses so far:

DeSantis: No response.

Christie: “Can’t imagine I would remember.”

Haley: “Inclined to pardon.”

Hutchinson: No, pardon would be “offensive.”

Pence: “Let the process play out.”

Elder: Focusing on local crime. [No.]

RFK: “No comment on any initiative which comes from Republican candidates.”

Scott: Won’t get into hypotheticals.”

As Ramaswamy advances in his campaign, it is worth paying attention to him as a potential vice presidential candidate for Trump if Trump continues to lead the pack. With Trump gaining momentum in the polls, it is increasingly likely that he will secure the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential race. This surge comes after DeSantis briefly reached a polling percentage above 20%, only to drop back to 19% following Trump’s indictment. DeSantis faced criticism for his absence during Donald Trump’s court appearance in Miami, with many perceiving it as a complicit move aligned with the goals of the Democratic establishment to undermine the leading candidate in the 2024 race.