In a sign DeSantis was not proving a threat to Trump, the Republican Party of Florida voted in September 2023 not to require participants in the state's 2024 presidential primary to pledge to support the eventual nominee, which ensured Trump would not have to pledge support to DeSantis when the two were locked in a bitter campaign.

Florida lawmakers defied DeSantis and approved their own version of sweeping immigration reforms amid a GOP power struggle.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has promised to veto a sweeping immigration bill. It’s the latest escalation in a statehouse showdown between DeSantis’ office and the Republican leaders, who have sparred over whose proposals would best carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.