Trump Steps In, Backs DeSantis Amid Surprise GOP Infighting Over Special Session

President-elect Donald Trump waded into a power struggle between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders Tuesday, throwing his political weight behind the Florida Governor in his call for a special session.

The special session, which DeSantis announced would be held at the end of the month, is supposed to bolster Trump's efforts to squash illegal immigration—though critics, both Democrat and Republican, have noted that the Governor has failed to point to specific legislation.

But the former and future President thanked DeSantis, urging other Governors to follow suit.

"Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!" Trump posted to Truth Social, opting out of his formerly-used signature name for the Governor—"Ron DeSanctimonious"—when the two battled it out for the Republican presidential nomination in 2023.

Trump's show of support, however brief, speaks volumes.

This is the first time Florida's Republican Supermajority Legislature has appeared to break away from the Governor since his presidential ambitions became clear. The majority of the Governor's priorities in the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, for example, flew through the state Legislature, including a host of so-called "culture war" issues—such as bills targeting abortion, drag queen establishments, transgender surgeries for kids, certain books in schools, and DEI initiatives.

But this year is shaping up to be vastly different for the Governor.

What happened?

Monday evening, hours after DeSantis hosted a Tallahassee press conference to outline his priorities for a Jan. 27 special session, Senate President Ben Albritton and Speaker Danny Perez, both Republicans, released a joint memo excoriating the call.

"It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump's forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration," the memo reads in part.

"While the Governor discussed fragments of ideas for a special session he plans to start in just fourteen days, he did not release any actual bill language or even meaningful details for legislators and our constituents to consider," it says. Adding to the drama, Speaker Perez then endorsed the Trump-backed state Sen. Joe Gruters for Chief Financial Officer, contradicting DeSantis' speculated appointment of state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia.

DeSantis, who originally told reporters he would file an executive order calling the special session after Trump's inauguration, issued the executive order hours after the memo went public, reinforcing that lawmakers must come to Tallahassee on Jan. 27. The special session is supposed to target illegal immigration, citizen-led petitions, condo reforms, and hurricane damage.

The governor was quickly backed by Republicans like Sen. Ingoglia and state Sen. Jay Collins. Though state Sen. Randy Fine, who has feuded with the governor in the past, initially supported the special session, he later acknowledged that not enough bill details have been put forward, making the call seem "performative."

Other Republicans, like Sen. Gruters and former state Rep. Mike Beltran, agreed. Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo also supported the Republican lawmakers, telling The Floridian that there isn't enough substance in the Governor's call to flesh out a full special session.

“I support Speaker Perez and President Albritton’s joint legislative memo characterizing why they’re opposed to [the special session]," Sen. Pizzo said, though he acknowledged that he had had a "great" meeting with the governor's staff to discuss condo reforms after the press conference, he didn't feel there were enough fleshed-out details for a one-week session.

"The point was, nothing’s been shared or provided to them—no discussion. And I don’t think they feel left out, but I think they think the Legislature’s been left out of it. And I can’t disagree, because we’re convening to talk about—what?" Pizzo added.

The special session will happen Jan. 27. The regular session is scheduled for March 4.