TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Sparks have been flying in Tallahassee as the Florida legislature and governor duke it out over how to address illegal immigration.
On Wednesday, the Governor promised to veto the “TRUMP Act” passed by the legislature Tuesday night and suggested he could call lawmakers back for a second special session.
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“What they did last night is not going to pass muster. It is not what they told you they would do when they ran for office,” said Governor Ron DeSantis during a roundtable Wednesday morning.
Even just two years ago, the current battle between DeSantis and the Republican supermajorities in the Florida House and Senate would have seemed unimaginable.
“The personal vendettas that have been building up over the years with perhaps DeSantis’ treatment towards some of these state legislators is finally coming to a head,” said UNF political science professor Dr. Michael Binder.
Binder noted DeSantis’ failed presidential run has severely reduced his political capital in Florida’s capital city.
“And being termed out. Suddenly, on the way down people might be kicking you and not treating you as nicely,” said Binder.
Not only did the legislature ignore many aspects of the governor’s immigration agenda, but the bill passed Tuesday would even shift oversight of immigration away from the governor and put it in the hands of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is expected to run for governor in 2026.
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The move spurred an online spat between the two statewide elected officials, with DeSantis suggesting Simpson would be a “fox guarding the henhouse” and Simpson accusing DeSantis of “routine attacks on farmers.”
Binder argued despite the drama, ultimately, this is the way government is supposed to work, with separate branches exercising independence rather than acting as a rubber stamp.
“It’s a very Republican legislature and governor’s office. The policies that get passed, Republicans are gonna like, but just to see that, I think it makes me feel a little better about our system of government,” said Binder.
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There have been suggestions the legislature could override a potential veto from the Governor.
Based on Tuesday’s vote, there is enough support in the House to do so, but in the Senate six Republican no votes would have to switch sides for a successful override.
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