Strong leadership requires a steady hand, not a sledgehammer. It means prioritizing the security of our nation while ensuring that policies are both effective and enforceable. That’s exactly what Florida’s Republican-led Legislature sought to accomplish with the TRUMP Act, a sweeping immigration bill designed to support President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The bill, allocating half a billion dollars to bolster cooperation between state and federal authorities, is a clear commitment to law and order—without overstepping practical governance.
But Governor Ron DeSantis, as usual, is picking a fight where there doesn’t need to be one. He’s dismissed the legislation as “weak,” signaling his intent to veto it in favor of his own, much harsher plan. His proposal would appoint a state immigration officer reporting directly to him and make it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. It’s an aggressive move, but at what cost?
DeSantis has a habit of making every issue a battle, even when his own party is already aligned on policy. The TRUMP Act is a Republican effort, crafted to complement Trump’s immigration agenda, yet DeSantis refuses to accept anything short of his own brand of enforcement—one that takes a hardline stance just for the sake of appearing tough. It’s the same pattern we’ve seen from him time and time again: refusing to work with Republican legislators, forcing unnecessary conflicts, and alienating allies. Is it any wonder he was never given a position in Trump’s administration?
Florida is a Hispanic State—DeSantis Needs to Read the Room
Let’s be honest—Florida is a Latino state. From Miami to Orlando to Tampa, Florida’s culture, economy, and political landscape are deeply shaped by Hispanic communities. Many of us have fled socialist regimes and know firsthand what happens when lawlessness takes over, which is why we support Trump’s stance on immigration. But there’s a difference between enforcing the law and turning Florida into a hostile state for legal immigrants and citizens alike.
Republicans in the Legislature understand this, which is why the TRUMP Act is a carefully balanced measure. It enhances law enforcement capabilities while ensuring that law-abiding immigrants and their families aren’t unfairly targeted. Instead of recognizing that, DeSantis is using this issue as another opportunity to push his own extreme version of governance—one that ignores the nuances of the very state he governs.
If he really cared about law and order, why isn’t he pushing for metal detectors in schools? Why isn’t he focusing on actual crime prevention instead of making political grandstands at the expense of his own party?
Trump’s Immigration Vision vs. DeSantis’s Power Play
President Trump has always been about strategic strength—whether on immigration, foreign policy, or economic issues. His immigration policies prioritized criminals, gang members, and illegal entrants while protecting American jobs and keeping communities safe. The TRUMP Act follows this same philosophy by strengthening enforcement without making the state government overreach its authority.
DeSantis, on the other hand, wants total control. His insistence on vetoing a Republican-backed bill isn’t about improving immigration policy—it’s about consolidating power under his own authority. Appointing a state immigration officer who reports only to him? That’s not leadership, that’s a one-man show. Instead of working within the Republican framework to get things done, he’s once again making himself the center of the fight.
This isn’t the first time he’s tried to outflank his own party, and it likely won’t be the last. But Floridians—especially conservative, Latino Floridians—aren’t interested in political infighting. We care about results.
A Smarter Path Forward
The TRUMP Act is a strong and sensible approach to immigration enforcement. It aligns with Trump’s policies while allowing the state to work with federal authorities rather than bypassing them. Florida’s Republican legislators got it right, and DeSantis should recognize that this isn’t a contest of who can be the most extreme—it’s about what actually works.
He can veto it if he wants, but if he keeps picking fights with his own party, he’ll find himself increasingly isolated. Florida Republicans aren’t looking for a rogue operator—they’re looking for leadership that understands both strength and strategy. If DeSantis wants to continue making enemies out of his allies, he shouldn’t be surprised when those allies stop standing behind him.
