DeSantis 'Kneecapped' By GOP Allies In Florida For Veering From Trump's Immigration Agenda

Republican lawmakers in Florida dealt a blow to Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday by rejecting his proposed crackdown on immigration and opting to pursue their own legislative agenda.

In a surprise move, the Florida House and Senate abruptly ended the special legislative session DeSantis called to secure approval for his own measures ostensibly meant to support President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies.

DeSantis's proposals included appointing a state "immigration officer" to liaise with the White House and report directly to him. However, Republican senate president Ben Albritton blasted DeSantis, accusing him of attempting to bypass the legislature's authority to craft laws, reported the Miami Herald.

We Trust Trump: Don’t Go Around Him, Say GOP Lawmakers

Albritton said some of DeSantis' immigration proposals, such as criminally charging local police who don't cooperate, were potentially unconstitutional and had nothing to do with Trump's agenda. "Sometimes leadership isn't about being out in front of an issue. It's about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump."

The Miami Herald described the legislature's actions as a "kneecapping" for DeSantis, who once commanded their unwavering loyalty. DeSantis’ influence has waned since his failed bid to challenge Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. House Speaker Daniel Perez labeled the governor's special session as "overreach" and accused DeSantis of calling lawmakers into session to boost his own political profile. "I believe special sessions should be used sparingly," Perez said. "They should not be stunts designed to generate headlines."

Among measures DeSantis was seeking included criminalizing the entry of undocumented migrants into Florida and pressuring local law enforcement to participate in deportation sweeps, He also wants to expand his controversial "alien transport" program, which he undertook three years ago when he flew migrants to Martha's Vineyard, misleading them with false promises before sending them to Democratic-led states.

Dem Leader Delights Over DeSantis Bashing

Florida Democratic party chair Nikki Fried apparently took great joy in the legislature's defiance of DeSantis. "The Florida legislature just overrode Ron DeSantis's veto of millions of dollars from the legislative operating budget and gave him the middle finger for his BS special session call," she wrote on X, calling it "a small dose of democracy."

Immigration advocates condemned both DeSantis and the legislature. Jared Nordlund of UnidosUS accused them of prioritizing political posturing over the needs of Floridians. Meanwhile, federal immigration authorities conducted raids in South Florida over the weekend, arresting more than 950 people, according to the Miami New Times.

Now Read:

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