Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made no bones about removing certain state officials if they refuse to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump and his administration’s efforts to enforce the nation’s immigration laws, including deportations starting with migrants who have committed crimes.
DeSantis’ remarks come ahead of a special legislative session he has called that will begin Jan. 27 specifically to take up immigration enforcement-related issues, Florida Politics reported on Monday.
“If those duties are clear in law, I have the authority, with respect to certain officials, to suspend them from their office if they are neglecting their duties, and that’s it,” he said of removing state attorneys and even county sheriffs if they refuse to comply. “That’s an authority that I have invoked when it’s been appropriate in the past.”
The Republican governor expressed a desire for policies to be implemented swiftly after Trump takes office on January 20. Trump, who ran on an immigration and border security enforcement platform, has promised to initiate mass deportations promptly once in office.
“We are going to see a sea change in policies, particularly with respect to the border and illegal immigration,” DeSantis said.
“This is an issue that has been festering in this country for many, many decades. Although the first Trump administration was much more successful than others have been, this is the time to get it right once and for all. And so the state of Florida stands ready, willing and able to be able to help facilitate these policies that will benefit Floridians and benefit the American people.”
DeSantis was one of dozens of GOP governors who met recently with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Fla., last week, where he said he plans on supporting the incoming administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
“My guys are in contact with some of their staff, so we’ll tailor what we’re doing to mirror what their policies are going to be,” DeSantis said.
After years of opposing President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, DeSantis anticipates that the Trump administration will grant states greater authority to enforce deportation measures.
“There’s going to be some ambitious policy changes that are going to be instituted on Day 1, particularly with respect to illegal immigration and major, major executive orders that are going to unwind the bad policies of the Biden administration, but then also provide a level of empowerment for states and local governments to help facilitate the policies against illegal immigration,” the governor said, according to the outlet.
Last week, while at Mar-a-Lago, DeSantis ripped a reporter who claimed Trump was “politicizing” the wildfires in California by criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders for incompetent policies, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.
“Is it appropriate for a president-elect or a president to be criticizing…” a reporter could be heard asking before DeSantis cut her off.
“Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and to try to create narratives anytime these things happen?” DeSantis, who, along with dozens of other GOP governors, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday, shot back. “Now, you’re not as interested in doing that because Newsom is a D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go try to, you would have him nailed to the wall for what they’re doing over there.
“And I know we’ve dealt with it. We just assume in Florida, anytime something happens, it’s going to be politicized by the media. So you guys sitting in judgment of Donald Trump, I mean, excuse me, I think your track record of politicizing these things is very, very bad,” he continued.
“But Trump said Newsom should resign and that the wildfires are all his fault. So do you agree with those comments?” the reporter insisted.
“I’ve had — I remember when we had the Surfside Tower collapse. I had people from the Washington Post trying to blame me for it immediately without having any facts or anything. Oh, he didn’t declare a state of emergency. First of all, state of emergency doesn’t mean you can’t respond,” DeSantis said. “It’s all that.”
“Biden didn’t,” the report claimed.
“Well, but what I’m telling you is you guys are trying to make an issue of it. When I have watched from this seat, in fact, when I got elected governor, I was meeting with some of the other Republican governors and what they would say is, ‘Hey, if you have a natural disaster, just know media’s coming at you,’” the Florida governor added.
WATCH:
🚨 HOLY SH*T. Governor Ron DeSantis just absolutely torched this reporter and came to Trump’s defense when they attacked Trump over the criticism of Gavin Newsom. This may be his best moment yet.
REPORTER: “Is it inappropriate to be criticizing [Newsom]-”
DESANTIS: “It’s… pic.twitter.com/SEZWy1zGVS
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 10, 2025
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