DeSantis, Trump Rekindling Alliance Divided by Primary

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been reaching out to mend fences in recent weeks with President-elect Donald Trump and they appear to be rekindling an alliance that became divided during their heated primary battle for the GOP nomination last year. 

"The relationship has definitely warmed back up, and I think both of them realize they’re better off together and having a relationship and can bolster their agendas when they’re aligned," a source familiar with conversations between the two Republicans commented, reported The Hill Thursday.

DeSantis this week called for a special state legislative session that would focus on Trump's immigration agenda. Tuesday, the two met to golf in West Palm Beach. 

Trump praised DeSantis' plans for the session, thanking him on Truth Social and saying that "hopefully other governors will follow."

The moves came as DeSantis considered a replacement in the Senate for Marco Rubio, Trump's nominee for secretary of state. 

Wednesday, the governor outlined his priorities to address immigration in the special legislative session, including the appointment of a state liaison to work with the federal government to enforce the president-elect's agenda.

Further, DeSantis called on local and state law enforcement to use "maximum participation" to enforce federal laws. 

He added that he thinks the federal government will "bless" local and state officials by allowing them to detain and deport immigrants in Florida illegally. 

DeSantis also said he'll push for reforms to education and voting, including requiring proof of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency for voters in the state. He also said more enforcement measures will be taken against gangs. 

"We have a new sheriff coming in town nationally," DeSantis said about Trump. "As Florida leads working with the feds, other states will follow suit and we will create a healthy competition to get things done."

He added that he has been in contact with Trump and the transition team about the plans for the special session and said he wants Florida to serve as an example for other states when it comes to Trump's immigration plans. 

"This was a well-coordinated plan," The Hill's source said. "The big problem is the president doesn’t have funding to start arresting and deporting illegal immigrants in the United States. The governors do have money and a police force to be able to do that."

• DeSantis: 'Time to Get It Right' on Immigration
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