In a surprising turn of events, Florida’s GOP-led Legislature overrode Governor Ron DeSantis on a key immigration policy this week, signaling an internal power shift within the state’s Republican Party.
For the first time since the 1990s, Republican lawmakers took the unusual step of overriding one of their own governor’s budget vetoes.
Not stopping there, they also convened a special session without DeSantis’s blessing to pass a new immigration bill, the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act.”
The act, a reworked version of DeSantis’s earlier proposals, increases penalties for undocumented immigrants voting illegally and boosts funding for local law enforcement to address illegal immigration.
While it adopts some elements from the governor’s agenda, the bill reflects a more measured approach, showcasing lawmakers’ intent to operate independently of DeSantis’s high-profile political playbook.
Florida’s legislative leaders—House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton—haven’t minced words.
They criticized DeSantis’s push for an earlier special session as rushed and more about headlines than practical solutions.
Their decision to chart their own course marks a shift from DeSantis’s once-unquestioned dominance over state politics.
But Gov. DeSantis didn’t see it that way and responded on X…
We need to get the job done regarding illegal immigration. We don’t have time for posturing. My thoughts on today’s antics by the Florida Legislature. pic.twitter.com/BmJtC2EbiS
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 27, 2025
The Legisalture’s move coincides with growing internal GOP tensions, partly fueled by shifting national dynamics. Some state lawmakers appear to be aligning more closely with the Trump administration’s immigration stance than with DeSantis’s.
Insiders have even hinted at influence from Trump-aligned political strategist Susie Wiles, who reportedly has a frosty relationship with DeSantis.
Could this be a calculated response to DeSantis’s increasingly polarizing leadership style? Or is it simply a sign of lawmakers reasserting their legislative independence?
Reactions have been all over the map. Social media is buzzing with debate.
Supporters of DeSantis are framing this as betrayal by so-called “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only). One popular post on X, formerly known as Twitter, called it “a declaration of war” by the Legislature against the governor.
Others see it differently.
“This is what governing should look like,” commented one Florida resident. “It’s not about loyalty to one person but doing what’s best for the state.”
Critics on the left have seized on the infighting as evidence of dysfunction, arguing that neither DeSantis’s proposals nor the Legislature’s new bill adequately address the root causes of immigration challenges.
The override and the TRUMP Act highlight more than just immigration policy. They underscore a brewing identity crisis within the GOP.
Governor DeSantis, once considered a rising star and a potential presidential contender, now faces questions about his waning influence in his home state.
Observers point out that this legislative rebellion may have implications for 2028 and beyond, as Florida lawmakers increasingly align with former President Trump rather than DeSantis.
There are also whispers that the Legislature’s actions were coordinated with the Trump White House, which could be seen as a rebuke of DeSantis’s more unilateral approach.
For conservatives, this is an interesting case study.
On one hand, the Legislature’s actions demonstrate the importance of checks and balances—even within a single party.
On the other hand, both DeSantis’s veto override and the new immigration bill expand the state’s role in immigration enforcement, a traditionally federal responsibility.
Whether you see this as a triumph of legislative independence or a warning sign of party disunity, one thing’s for sure: Florida politics just got a lot more interesting.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
