Hear ye, hear ye: Woe unto any Republican who stands athwart Donald Trump and his second-term agenda. This is a message that has come through loud and clear from the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, with influential folks like Charlie Kirk promising to primary any GOPer—particularly those from deep-red states—who doesn't stand with the president-elect. Some Republicans in Donald Trump's home state of Florida may find themselves on the receiving end of MAGA's wrath, not to mention the ire of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's supporters, as they push back against the governor's call for a special legislative session to move quickly on a slate of matters, chief among them Trump's immigration agenda. DeSantis made the special session announcement Monday morning:
Despite past clashes with Trump, DeSantis indicated he is committed to working with the administration and taking quick action on the president-elect's ambitious plan to seal the southern border and begin mass deportations.
Predictably, Democrats in Florida pushed back on DeSantis, with one, Orlando State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, saying, “This is about the Governor drawing attention to himself after the inauguration for political purposes." Another Democrat, Orlando State Rep. Anna Eskamani, decried the governor wanting to move fast on the issue of illegal immigration reform, complaining, “This is a waste of taxpayer money. It is another attempt by Governor DeSantis to make a political spectacle on the goal of dividing us instead of bringing us together." Somewhat less predictably, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, both of whom are Republicans, also balked at convening on January 27 to proceed with immigration reform, stating they would decide "when and what legislation we consider." Albritton and Perez maintained they "are strong supporters of President Trump and stand ready to follow his lead," but insisted it was "completely irresponsible" for DeSantis "to get out ahead of any announcements" by the Trump administration. DeSantis was undaunted by the blowback from his own party, and reiterated that the special session would indeed take place on January 27.
Trump and his incoming border czar, Tom Homan, have made it clear that dealing with the border and initiating mass deportations, starting with the criminal elements, are top priorities for the new administration, with actions expected to begin on Day One of Trump 2.0. Florida Republicans like Albritton and Perez should likewise make it clear that they are on board with that plan by convening DeSantis's special session on January 27. MAGA will be watching. MORE: |
No comments:
Post a Comment