DeSantis' Curse: Long-Term Credibility for Short-Term Gain

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Source for image: David Degner //The New York Times

In the last five years, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has clearly created a name for himself. DeSantis, a miniature Trump in his speech and political ideals, prides himself on his extreme conservative views on immigration, gender equality, and human rights. There is, however, a significant risk when mimicking former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. While some may see this as an intelligent way to secure political support, his blind pursuit may threaten the lives of Florida residents and shadow his political achievements. This strategy, however, might make him not only the loser of the next presidential run but also from his post as governor.

DeSantis's stance to appeal to hardcore Trump supporters is evident in his policies and public speeches. From how Mr. DeSantis handed the COVID pandemic to his harsh policies on immigration, Florida’s Governor does not shy away from echoing Trump’s policies. Take, for example, DeSantis’ Senate Bill 1718, signed on May 10th, 2023. According to the Governor’s website, this bill was signed “to combat the dangerous effects of illegal immigration caused by the federal government’s reckless border policies.” Such a bill, among other things, makes immigration policies in Florida much stricter and, for some, humiliating. For instance, if an undocumented immigrant seeks medical assistance, they must first provide proof of lawful residency before said service can occur.  Here, DeSantis did what Trump sought to do: turn immigrant’s lives into a living hell. However, while policies like this may attract Trump supporters to his side, they also alienate a considerable part of the population, harming those seeking peaceful, pragmatic, and inclusive solutions to immigration.

In addition, by following Trump’s path, DeSantis risks creating a bubble around him, making it difficult to separate his persona from the former president’s. Not only that, but deciding to focus on one segment of the population might inadvertently set him up for a deep pitfall. First, this would create homogenous groups where their opinions are seen as the righteous truth inside the echo chamber but do not match with the majority opinion of the general population – creating a distorted perception of reality where feedback becomes difficult and dialogue impossible. Second, focusing on one segment of the population poses severe challenges to his ability to govern well. In a democratic system, a leader should represent the will of the people as a whole and not that of a specific group. A logical approach to governance would, then, take the people’s opinion into question – thereby creating a balanced, equitable, and effective government.

DeSantis, since 2019, has undoubtedly made progress in his political career. His commitment to environmental initiatives and education reforms do show a commitment to the betterment of Florida and its citizens. For example, DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-06 on January 10th, 2022, to “further advance the protection of Florida’s environment and water quality.” In addition, he has also proposed billions of dollars to restore waterways in the state. However, DeSantis’ persistence to act in a Trump-like fashion does more harm than good. Recently, for example, in an undeniable move to seek support from the far-right, Desantis and the Florida Board of Education approved a policy “requiring teachers to tell students that there were upsides to being enslaved” by showing “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” And, as shocking as this sounds, DeSantis has shown great approval for this new material. Instead of leaning towards extreme policies, DeSantis should aim for a delicate balance between maintaining his political persona and being more lenient. In lieu of having radical views on immigration and acting on it, DeSantis would be better still maintaining this view, understanding that he holds an opinion, and opinions might be wrong. But, by showcasing a commitment to himself and to the people of Florida, DeSantis would better position himself as a leader rather than a political archetype.

Ultimately, DeSantis's current political agenda might bring him some supporters but will – in the long run – harm not only his political career but Florida and its citizens as well. It is time for the governor to reassess his methodology, break free from such a narrow group of supporters, and include a true method of governance that is inclusive, fair, and, most importantly, for the people.