Florida lawmakers defied DeSantis and approved their own version of sweeping immigration reforms amid a GOP power struggle.

In Florida, it’s still DeSantis vs. Trump. Once hailed as a potential heir to Donald Trump — and widely expected to have presidential aspirations in 2028 — Florida Gov.

The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session this week — but only on the issue of illegal immigration. In doing so, legislative leaders are openly defying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to bend lawmakers to his will – and his ability to control the discussion.

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature continue their feud over immigration, the governor proposed a $115.6 billion budget for next fiscal year, along with a recommendation to add $505 million to the current budget for state and local law enforcement agencies to help federal officials deport unauthorized immigrants.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is locked in a rare power struggle with the GOP-led state legislature over how best to carry out President Trump’s immigration agenda — with lawmakers forging ahead with a crackdown bill that the governor has decried as “swampy politics.