Former President Trump has commended Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for convening a special legislative session aimed at bolstering Trump's anticipated immigration enforcement actions. Trump encouraged other governors to emulate DeSantis's approach in a recent social media statement, saying, "Thank you Ron, hopefully other governors will follow!"
The special session, scheduled for January 27th, seeks to equip Florida with the resources to support Trump's proposed large-scale deportation of individuals who entered the U.S. without authorization. DeSantis is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and various reforms to aid in this endeavor. He emphasized the importance of state and local collaboration with the Trump administration in enforcing immigration laws, stating that Florida needs to "make sure that we don’t have any lingering incentives for people to come into our state illegally."
DeSantis's proposed measures include mandating additional responsibilities for local officials, providing them with the necessary financial resources, and implementing measures to penalize those who violate anti-sanctuary policies.
Despite the Republican supermajority in the Florida legislature, some GOP leaders have expressed reservations about the special session, deeming it "premature." This collaboration between DeSantis and Trump signals a continuing improvement in their relationship following a contentious 2024 Republican presidential primary race. DeSantis, once a staunch Trump opponent, ultimately reconciled with him after Trump secured the nomination and subsequently assisted with fundraising and spoke at the Republican National Convention.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Trump briefly considered DeSantis for the position of Defense Secretary if his initial nominee, Pete Hegseth, had withdrawn. However, Hegseth's confirmation proceeded, and he appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his hearing.
In a related development, twenty state attorneys general, led by Kansas AG Kris Kobach, have issued a joint statement expressing their support for Trump's plans to strengthen immigration laws. This coordinated effort suggests a broader movement among Republican officials to align with Trump's immigration agenda.
