In a shocking turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, potentially derailing DeSantis’s 2024 presidential campaign. Newsom has launched an urgent investigation into a controversial stunt involving the transportation of 16 migrants, allegedly orchestrated by DeSantis, who now faces the specter of kidnapping charges.

This weekend, a privately chartered plane delivered the migrants to Sacramento, where they were unceremoniously dropped at a church without prior notice. Newsom quickly took to Twitter, branding DeSantis as a “small pathetic man” and referencing a similar incident in Martha’s Vineyard. The California Governor invoked the state’s Penal Code 207d, which prohibits the abduction of individuals across state lines, indicating that DeSantis’s actions could amount to criminal behavior.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is investigating the incident, exploring both criminal and civil actions against those involved in the transportation. Bonta described the situation as a “state-sanctioned kidnapping,” emphasizing that the migrants were allegedly deceived with promises of jobs and travel assistance before being flown to California. Eyewitness accounts suggest the migrants were completely unaware of their destination, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.

If charges are filed, they could carry severe penalties, with each kidnapping count potentially resulting in up to eight years in prison. The implications for DeSantis’s political ambitions are enormous, as he navigates the already tumultuous waters of a presidential race. With mounting pressure from Newsom and the possibility of legal repercussions, DeSantis’s path to 2024 is now fraught with uncertainty. As this story develops, all eyes will be on the escalating conflict between these two governors.