Florida's GOP Legislature Hands Rare Rebuke to DeSantis

Republicans in the Florida Legislature on Monday handed Gov. Ron DeSantis a rare rebuke by halting his planned crackdown on immigration in the state and instead said they were moving ahead with their own proposals, The Guardian reported.

Lawmakers in both the Florida House and Senate abruptly "gaveled out" a special legislative session that DeSantis had called to request their approval for his measures supporting President Donald Trump's hardline immigration agenda.

Republican Senate President Ben Albritton accused DeSantis of trying to usurp the Legislature's authority to write laws, and said the chambers would pursue their own immigration bill that would follow the "spirit and letter" of Trump's immigration policies without input from the governor.

"President Trump is clearly leading from the Oval Office and has everything under control," Albritton said. "Sometimes leadership is not about being out in front. It's about following the leaders you trust, and I trust President Trump."

DeSantis said he was "glad" the Legislature's alternative immigration bill includes some of his suggestions. But he also called it "weaker" than what he proposed, even giving an indication that parts of the legislation were unconstitutional, according to Politico.

The rebuke to DeSantis is the biggest defeat the governor has faced since dropping out of the Republican presidential primary a year ago.

During his time in office, DeSantis has become arguably the most powerful governor in the history of the state, as he has succeeded in bending the Legislature to his will numerous times, including on redistricting and regarding an overhaul of the special tax district for Walt Disney World.

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