DeSantis back at the border again

Jun 26, 2023

Hello and welcome to Monday.

On the road again — Gov. Ron DeSantis headed to the Mexican border late this past weekend in advance of a rollout of his “detailed plan” on border policy that he is scheduled to give this morning at a gathering with voters in Eagle Pass, Texas.

On the water — DeSantis went on a boat and helicopter tour of the Rio Grande on Sunday with Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, who stated on Twitter that “within a matter of minutes, we came across multiple groups of migrants in the process of crossing illegally, or being blocked by TX after crossing.”

Advance team — In advance of the release of his proposal, DeSantis’ presidential campaign released a minute-long video on Sunday that states that the “border is a complete disaster,” replete with black-and-white grainy footage of migrants in the background and statistics about border crossing and drugs moving into the United States.

Two-fer — The main target is President Joe Biden (who appears in the video at the start) but the video also could be seen as a swipe to former President Donald Trump, as the video concludes with the words “We will build the wall. We will stop the invasion. No excuses.”

Context — DeSantis has already made immigration policy a recurring theme in his campaign speeches, with him often mentioning his administration’s decision to fly migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. DeSantis, who visited the Arizona-Mexico border earlier this month, also pushed into place this year a controversial new immigration law. He has also repeatedly said he will declare a “state of emergency” the minute he enters the White House and has vowed to undo many of Biden’s policies — and restore some of the ones that were in place under Trump.

Balancing act — The question, as always, is how DeSantis can distinguish himself on a topic that has proven to be one of Trump’s signature campaign platforms since the 2016 election. After spending a month on the campaign trail, DeSantis is apparently now pivoting to concrete policy proposals — which is always a tricky matter to master amid the attention-grabbing nonstop outrage cycle that can overshadow such endeavors. (See Jeb Bush.)

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to release his “border policy” at a presidential campaign event being held in Eagle Pass, Texas.

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DESANTISLAND

‘ROOKIE MOVE’ — ‘It’s just stupid’: DeSantis stumbles in New Hampshire,” by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Meridith McGraw: There are signs that even inside DeSantis’s orbit, they see New Hampshire as a challenge. The super PAC that’s effectively running his operation has been off the air in New Hampshire since May — temporarily, its founder told POLITICO — while running a new ad in Iowa and South Carolina this week. And DeSantis’ visit to the state Tuesday is being met with backlash from a major Republican women’s group.

Reaction — And some Republicans in the state were dumbfounded that DeSantis would walk into a skirmish with a prominent GOP group. “It’s the worst strategic move he has exhibited thus far,” New Hampshire-based Republican strategist Mike Dennehy said. “It’s just stupid, actually. You don’t take on the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women.”

UP NEXT — “Ron DeSantis tours the Texas border ahead of rolling out his immigration platform,” by NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez and Bianca Seward

MEANWHILE — Documents reveal Eric Adams sent migrants to Florida, Texas and China, by POLITICO’s Joe Anuta

'THE TIME CAME TO MAKE A DECISION’ — “Florida immigrants detail their exit following DeSantis immigration law: ‘I had to leave,’” by Telemundo’s Anagilmara Vilchez: “When David Guerra and his large family fled Florida in May, they left behind beds, mattresses, furniture and the construction tools they used to make a living. But it's when he thinks of his children's toys that his voice breaks. ‘That is what has hurt me the most, my girls, who no longer have toys,’ said Guerra, who is from El Salvador and who, until a few weeks ago, had a home, a yard and a business with his family in Tampa.”

IF IT PLEASE THE COURT — “Ron DeSantis is campaigning on his record. Judges keep saying it’s unconstitutional,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno: “But back in Florida, the agenda at the centerpiece of his pitch remains unsettled. Still ongoing are more than a dozen legal battles testing the constitutionality of many of the victories DeSantis has touted on the campaign trail. Critics say DeSantis has built his governorship around enacting laws that appeal to his conservative base but that, as a Harvard-trained lawyer, he knows are unconstitutional and not likely to take effect.”

— “DeSantis voters: Angry at Fauci, anxious about ‘Cinderfella,’ tiring of Trump,” by The Washington Post’s Hannah Knowles, Colby Itkowitz and Dylan Wells

— “Federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing ban on minors attending drag shows, by POLITICO’s David Kihara

— “Pro-DeSantis PAC hits Trump over commuting Detroit mayor’s prison sentence,” by The Hill’s Julia Manchester

CAMPAIGN MODE

GIVING IT A TRY — “Florida Democrats want to stage a comeback. They think DeSantis might be able to help,” by the Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood: “The animosity between Florida Democrats and the state’s powerful Republican governor isn’t new. What’s changed, party officials and operatives said, is that DeSantis’ nascent bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination has elevated their platform and allowed them to appeal to national Democrats ... What it’s done for Florida Democrats is one: it has brought us fire in our bellies to take him down, and two: it is absolutely raising the national profile of Florida Democrats, because we are the frontlines,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in an interview with the Miami Herald.”

Next up for Democrats — Florida Democrats are less than two weeks away from their big annual Leadership Blue fundraiser being held this year in Miami Beach at the renowned Fontainebleau hotel. The party has already said that the main gala is sold out even though the keynote speaker has yet to be announced publicly. Last year the main speaker was Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. This would be a prime opportunity for Florida Democrats to provide some counter messaging to the three Republican candidates from the state. But will it be more about Gov. DeSantis? Will the party stay away from talking about the indictment of former President Trump, which has been the plan so far from the White House?

Nikki Fried speaks during an interview.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried. | Wilfredo Lee, File/AP Photo

STILL SWINGING — Miami Republican Rep. Carlos Giménez keeps jabbing at Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s presidential run. He appeared this weekend on Miami’s NBC 6 where anchor Jackie Nespral told him that Suarez had brushed off Giménez’s criticisms as a “personal” beef. Giménez retorted that his problems with Suarez were “professional” and that Suarez has pumped up his resume and overstated his role in Miami city government. “He has no business running for president,” said Giménez, who called Suarez’s candidacy “laughable.” In that same interview Giménez repeated his support for former President Trump.

— “The super PAC frenzy redefining campaign operations,” by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper and Sally Goldenberg

— “Jimmy Patronis’ family wants him to run for governor,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

MORE DETAILS — Last week Playbook reported that two top aides in the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis — Taryn Fenske, the governor’s communications director, and Stephanie Kopelousos, the legislative and intergovernmental affairs director, were leaving to go help DeSantis’ White House bid. Fenske will become a senior adviser for the Never Back Down super PAC, while Kopelousos will be a senior adviser for the presidential campaign. The governor’s office said that both will be departing their jobs the first week of July.

DeSantis on both — The governor, in a statement, called Kopelousos — who has been in her post for five years — a “steadfast presence” who backed “our legislative priorities with a tenacity and strength that only comes from someone with her skill set and experience.” He praised Fenske for being “right there to fight back and set the record straight” when the “legacy media attacks me.” DeSantis added that “we are happy to have both these women continuing to support our mission in new roles.”

HMM — “Five million dollar DeSantis veto triggers cancellation of $346 million in federal funding,” by The Capitolist’s Brian Burgess

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

OUT FRONT — “Trump’s GOP lead grows after latest indictment, poll finds,” by NBC News’ Mark Murray: “Still, the survey finds half of Republican primary voters say they would consider another leader besides Trump — which suggests a potential opening for a rival to capture the GOP nomination, even as 6 out of 10 Republicans believe the indictments and investigations Trump faces are politically motivated.”

A key number — “Trump’s 29-point lead over DeSantis in a multi-candidate field is an increase from April’s NBC News poll, when 46% preferred Trump as their first choice versus 31% who picked DeSantis.”

Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during the Faith & Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington.

Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during the Faith & Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington on Saturday, June 24. | Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo

FOLLOWING THE MONEY — “As legal fees mount, Trump steers donations into PAC that has covered them,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman

— Trump touts Dobbs decision to cheers at Faith & Freedom, by POLITICO’s Myah Ward

— Feds propose starting Trump classified documents trial in December, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein

— “Trump is returning to Michigan with hopes of repeating the battleground success he found in 2016,” by Associated Press’ Joey Cappelletti

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

FALLOUT — “Abortions increased in Florida more than California and New York post-Dobbs. Here’s why," by POLITICO’s Rachel Bluth, Maya Kaufman and Sejal Govindarao: Florida was first, with 12,460 more abortions in the months after the decision compared to the two months before. California was fifth, with 4,260 additional abortions and New York was 13th, with 2,320. After Dobbs, Florida had a 26 percent increase in abortions, California saw a 4 percent increase and New York a 0.6 percent increase compared to the two months before the decision was announced.

AFTERMATH — “Two years after Surfside condo collapse: ‘We haven’t recovered. Don’t forget about us,’” by Miami Herald’s Linda Robertson: “[Gabe] Nir, his mother and his sister ran for their lives that night. The terror revisits each of them at unpredictable moments and most often at night. ‘I feel like my body and my brain are still in a state of shock and I’ve never really processed what happened,’ he said. ‘I feel numb. I’ve been hospitalized five times with vertigo. Some days I can’t even go out because I’m too dizzy.’”

— South Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz appeared with WPLG’s Glenna Milberg on This Week in South Florida, where she discussed a bill that she and Brevard County Republican Rep. Bill Posey introduced last week that would expand and ensure access to public and private loans for structural and safety repairs to condominiums.

R.I.P. — “Jacksonville civil rights activist Ben Frazier dies at 72,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis: “Ben Frazier, a Jacksonville civil rights activist who made national headlines after being handcuffed at a Governor’s press conference last year, died after a nine-month battle with cancer Saturday night, eliciting mourning from many quarters Sunday. Frazier, who once addressed the United Nations, was 72. Mayor-elect Donna Deegan said the city won’t be the same without Frazier and called on people to redouble their effort for the causes he worked for ‘to give a voice to the voiceless.’”

— “PortMiami reopens to cruise ships after sunken boat raised from fatal ferry collision,” by Miami Herald’s David J. Neal and Douglas Hanks

— “Double homicide outside Tallahassee McDonald’s becomes Stand Your Ground self defense case,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Elena Barrera

— “How Miami companies are secretly fueling the dramatic growth of Cuba’s private businesses,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres

— “Report: Former mayor’s false letter helped secure $102M in loans for developer,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Florida first lady Casey DeSantis … state Rep. Dianne Hart … state Rep. Mike Beltran … state Rep. Lawrence McClure … Michael Bender with The New York Times … Tami Fillyaw with Amazon Web Services … Jessica Palombo, editorial director at WJCT … former Rep. Pete Peterson … Lydia Claire Brooks with the Florida Justice Association.