Trump backs DeSantis' call for state lawmakers to act this month on immigration

Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald on Jan 14, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump is backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to call state lawmakers back to Tallahassee later this month for a special session to ensure state and local law enforcement officials are helping enforce Trump’s immigration agenda.

“Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!” Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday morning.

Trump’s remarks come a day after DeSantis said Florida needed to help carry out Trump’s expected “ambitious policy changes” on immigration — a decision that the new Republican leaders of the Florida Legislature criticized and called “premature.”

“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Donald Trump will make, especially when uninformed and ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton said in a joint statement Monday evening.

DeSantis has not released specific language on what he would like state lawmakers to consider. On Monday, the governor said he would like to “impose additional duties on local officials” and require local law enforcement agencies to enroll in a federal immigration program that allows deputies and officers to interrogate and identify undocumented immigrants who are booked in jails and prisons.

Perez and Albritton complained that the governor has not released “any actual bill language or even meaningful details for legislators or our constituents to consider” and said that the “the Legislature, not the governor, will decided when and what legislation we consider.”

“When we receive specific guidance that may necessitate our state’s legislative action to complement President Trump’s efforts, we stand ready to act at the appropriate time,” Perez and Albritton said.

Trump’s social media post on Tuesday was praised by DeSantis’ press team, which appeared to be declaring victory over the power struggle between the governor and GOP legislative leaders.

“Safe travels to Tallahassee everyone!” Christina Pushaw, a vocal staffer in the governor’s office, said on X.