DeSantis Pledges Support for Satanic Temple Display Vandal, Sparks Religious Freedom Debate

The Florida Governor's stance against recognizing Satanism as a religion has ignited controversy, with the Satanic Temple defending its right to religious freedom.

Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has pledged to contribute to the legal defense fund of Michael Cassidy, a former GOP congressional candidate who was charged with vandalizing a Satanic Temple display at the Iowa State Capitol.
DeSantis has stated that Satanism should not be recognized as a religion by the federal government, a stance that has sparked controversy and debate over freedom of religion.
The Satanic Temple, which was recognized as a church by the IRS in 2019, has defended its right to religious freedom and its co-founder, Lucien Greaves, has challenged DeSantis to a debate on the subject.
DeSantis has faced criticism for blaming the Trump administration for the Satanic Temple's tax-exempt status, with some supporters of Trump's MAGA movement pointing out that the decision would not have been made by Trump himself.
The controversy over the Satanic Temple's display and its subsequent vandalism has highlighted divisions among Republicans, with some supporting the display as an example of free speech and others calling for it to be removed.