Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a special legislative session for the week of January 27, following Donald Trump’s inauguration as President. The session is aimed at supporting Trump’s anticipated immigration policies, emphasizing swift action on detention, relocation, and enforcement measures.
DeSantis’ Bold Call to Action
DeSantis took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare his intentions, stating, “President-elect Trump was elected with a mandate to stop illegal immigration and deport illegal aliens already in our country. Florida will actively facilitate the Trump Administration’s policies against illegal immigration.” He urged state legislators to allocate resources for detention, relocation, and infrastructure to support federal immigration efforts.
He further elaborated, “As part of the special session, I am calling on the legislature to appropriate funding for detention, relocation, transportation infrastructure, local law enforcement support, and everything else needed for Florida to carry out this mission.”
Trump’s Response
Donald Trump, sharing DeSantis’ post on Truth Social, commended the governor’s initiative: “Thank you, Ron. Hopefully, other Governors will follow!”
Comprehensive Legislative Agenda
While immigration remains the centerpiece, DeSantis revealed other priorities for the special session. “We have no time to waste. Florida must lead. While we are in special session, we should also address key issues facing our state: ballot initiative integrity, disaster relief, and condominium regulations,” he stated.
The legislative agenda aligns with Trump’s reported Day One executive orders, which are expected to focus heavily on border security and deportation. Trump previously emphasized the importance of immigration reform, calling it “a top priority” and stating, “It’s not a question of a price tag. We have no choice.”
A Pivotal Moment for Florida
This special session underscores Florida’s role as a leader in the Trump Administration’s proposed immigration overhaul. DeSantis’ alignment with Trump reflects a strategic effort to position the state as a model for implementing federal directives at the local level.