Florida‘s lawmakers recently passed a set of policies which are clearly aligned with the agenda of Donald Trump, former US President. The actions taken by Florida lawmakers, in particular concerning immigration and the judicial system, show a deliberate effort to reflect Trump’s political priorities.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved several immigration laws recently, reflecting Trump’s approach to immigration. The move comes after earlier disputes with Republicans in the state, which highlights a complicated dynamic within Florida’s political scene. The new Florida immigration law allocates significant resources for federal immigration enforcement on the local and state levels, and ends in-state benefits to undocumented student. The enacted law also includes potential death penalties for undocumented migrants convicted of capital crimes, like murder or child abuse, as well as a new crime in Florida for illegal entry after entering the U.S.
DeSantis has described this package of legislation as “the strongest legislation in combating illegal immigration by any state throughout the country.” But legal experts like Professor Freeder point out possible constitutional issues with the law concerning the death sentence for certain crimes. Freeder says that applying the death penalty to immigrants found guilty of child rape is in direct contradiction with Supreme Court precedent. Kennedy v. Louisiana It is a ruling that generally prevents capital punishment other than for murder. According to speculation, state Republicans could be strategically targeting the Supreme Court in order to overturn precedents. Dobbs Jackson Women’s Health Organization Case regarding the right to abortion
It is important to note that the word “you” means “You”. Dobbs Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision that is effectively reversed Roe V. Wade Trump’s appointments of conservative Supreme Court Justices have been widely credited for removing federal guarantees of abortion.
DeSantis Realigns Politically with Trump
DeSantis signed immigration legislation into law after extensive negotiations with the Florida Legislature. This highlighted internal differences. DeSantis’ relationship with Trump was strained after he ran against him in the Republican primaries of 2024. He had been considered an ally. Florida lawmakers initially refused DeSantis calls for special sessions focused on specific immigration plans. They instead formulated their legislative plan known by the name of Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act. DeSantis had a different vision for this proposal.
DeSantis, after several weeks of negotiation, approved an extensive set of immigration legislation on February 13. This could be a sign that he is aligning with Trump and his policies as well as the pro-Trump sentiments within the Florida Legislature. DeSantis is approaching the last years of his tenure as Florida’s governor, and his recent political actions indicate a realignment.
DeSantis, demonstrating further this alignment of interests, adopted Trump’s initiative of referring to the Gulf of Mexico by the term “Gulf of America.” He used this terminology in an executive order issued on January 20, addressing the response of the state to a severe winter storm.
‘Championing an America First Agenda’
James Uthmeier was DeSantis’s former chief-of-staff and he has been appointed Florida’s Attorney General. In his swearing in ceremony signaled intentions to mirror several of Trump’s key initiativesThe government should target drug cartels as well dismantle diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI).
Uthmeier declared, “We will be champions an America First We will continue to fight against cartels and gangs that have been destroying our country far too much for too long. The President also stressed his commitment to challenge what he believes to be the leftist infiltration into institutions and court systems, especially regarding laws and principles relating to constitutional law and rights for the unborn.
Florida has a long history of being a swing state. The 2000 election was closely contested between George W. Bush, and Al Gore. Trump’s 13-point victory in the 2024 presidential election over Kamala Harriman indicates a recent shift to a Republican-dominated state. This change indicates a shifting political landscape and an alignment to conservative ideologies in Florida.