DeSantis gives update on 2024: ‘I may have something to say…’
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked about the 2024 presidential landscape at an anti-illegal immigration bill signing Wednesday.
Responding to a reporter’s question, the governor said he’s been “pretty busy” with bill signings, before and after the conclusion of the Florida Legislature’s session.
“I know there’s different stuff in the news, but we’ve been busy,” he said. “On Monday, sticking it to the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] so they’re not buying land in Florida.”
“Yesterday we did the biggest increase in pay for teachers, but we also protected them against mandatory deduction from school unions, more money in their paycheck,” he said. “And then today, doing this great stuff on illegal immigration. So, that’s kind of been my focus.”
“I may have something to say about the overall landscape for ’24, but stay tuned on that.”
Last week, a reporter asked DeSantis if he sees himself running for president, potentially announcing in May.
“So, you’re just gonna have to stay tuned on all this,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “You’ll get there, one way or another, very soon – so you just have to do it.”
DeSantis noted he does not want to “short-circuit” the state’s ongoing legislative accomplishments as the session drew to a close and with more legislation waiting to be signed.
“I’m not going to short-circuit any of the good work that we’ve done,” he said. “I mean, we want to make sure that we’re thorough about doing that.”
At Wednesday’s bill signing on illegal immigration, DeSantis made numerous points on illegal immigration at the federal level, calling for states to be able to deport those in the country without authorization.
“You shouldn’t have to turn them over to border patrol, and then Biden orders them released back into our own country,” he said.
“States are limited in terms of what they do,” he said. “I think a good reform federally would be deputize states to enforce immigration law. Texas should be able to send them back to Mexico, or back to these other countries.”
The governor also reiterated his offer to President Joe Biden for the construction of a border wall along the border with Mexico.
“I am willing to send those Florida folks who [rebuilt bridges after Hurricane Ian] […] We’ll get cranking on that wall if Joe wants to get serious about it,” he said.
