The Washington Post editorial board on Thursday called out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for not ruling out pardons for Jan. 6 rioters or even former President Donald Trump .

The move showed DeSantis, who officially jumped into the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday, is running as an echo rather than an alternative to his opponent Trump, said the newspaper editorial board.

Floating pardons gives Jan. 6 rioters hope that they wont be held accountable, the board warned, saying it will discourage plea deals and encourage defendants to drag out proceedings in hopes that they might get clemency in 20 months.

It also heightens the danger that people will again engage in violence if they dont like the outcome of next years elections, calculating that they might receive pardons if their preferred candidate takes power, it added.

Trump, who is facing potential charges for his effort to undo the election and for potential mishandling of government documents, has repeatedly said he would consider pardons for his supporters who broke into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Read the Posts full editorial here.