DeSantis’s Warning: Florida Is Not Minneapolis

Des,Moines,,Iowa,,Usa,-,August,12,,2023:,Florida,Republican

Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a stark warning to anyone considering violence against law enforcement during immigration operations.

Story Highlights

DeSantis warns against attacking ICE agents after Jennifer Cruz punched state trooper, facing 8 felonies
Florida deploys nearly 20,000 officers in cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Governor contrasts Florida’s law-and-order approach with Minnesota’s resistance to ICE operations
Minnesota officials file lawsuit against Trump’s immigration crackdown involving 2,000+ federal agents

Florida Takes Hard Line on Immigration Enforcement

Governor Ron DeSantis issued a clear message during his January 16 press conference following ICE operations in Northeast Florida. The governor’s remarks came after Jennifer Cruz allegedly punched a Florida Highway Patrol trooper during joint enforcement activities, resulting in eight felony charges and six misdemeanors. DeSantis emphasized that Florida fully supports federal immigration enforcement, contrasting his state’s cooperation with the resistance seen in Minnesota under Democratic leadership.

GOV. DESANTIS: “THIS IS NOT MINNEAPOLIS”

Vince Butta shares a video of @GovRonDeSantis remarks following a woman’s arrest for assaulting ICE agents in Florida.

“That’s what leaders do.”@damonroberts @lfs6b @rickdelgadorad @slickricksports @paul_eggsNolan @KDJRadioShow pic.twitter.com/4UtIgKrBjQ

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) January 17, 2026

Massive State-Federal Cooperation Underway

Florida has deployed nearly 20,000 state and local officers to assist ICE operations, demonstrating unprecedented cooperation between state and federal authorities. The governor’s office stated that Florida “supports giving ICE agents the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively.” This collaborative approach stands in sharp contrast to states like Minnesota, where more than 2,000 federal agents face active resistance from state officials who have filed lawsuits challenging Trump’s immigration enforcement surge.

Minnesota’s Obstruction Sets Dangerous Precedent

While Florida embraces law and order, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. Minnesota officials claim federal agents arrested peaceful bystanders, detained U.S. citizens, and used chemical irritants against protesters. This resistance undermines federal immigration law and creates a patchwork of enforcement that threatens national security. DeSantis previously called for the deportation of Representative Ilhan Omar, highlighting the stark philosophical divide between states that respect immigration law and those that obstruct it.

The governor made clear that while Floridians retain constitutional rights to criticize policy and protest peacefully, violence against law enforcement crosses an unacceptable line. “You have a right to go out there and criticize government policy. You can go out there and protest within respected zones, but the idea that you’re going to assault one of our troopers is unacceptable,” DeSantis stated. This balanced approach protects both constitutional rights and officer safety, unlike Minnesota’s adversarial stance that encourages resistance to federal law.

Watch:

Law and Order Prevails in the Sunshine State

DeSantis’s firm stance sends a powerful message that Florida will not tolerate the lawlessness that has plagued Democrat-controlled states. The Cruz case establishes a clear precedent that assaulting law enforcement during immigration operations will result in serious felony charges. This approach protects both ICE agents and state troopers while ensuring immigration laws are enforced effectively. Florida’s cooperation with federal authorities demonstrates how states should respond to illegal immigration rather than obstructing enforcement efforts like Minnesota’s Democratic leadership continues to do.