The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session this week — but only on the issue of illegal immigration. In doing so, legislative leaders are openly defying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to bend lawmakers to his will – and his ability to control the discussion.

I’m not going to take lectures from someone who a year ago didn’t think Donald Trump should be president,” said state Sen. Randy Fine.

Ron DeSantis Monday, rejecting his special session ... Only one lawmaker, DeSantis ally Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, voted against the override. Legislative pushback unusual in Florida ...

Ron DeSantis’ waning influence was exposed Monday when Florida Republicans rejected a special legislative session he called to address illegal immigration. The Florida legislature, which infamously operated at DeSantis’ behest in recent years,

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House and Senate openly rebuked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session on immigration Monday by defiantly rejecting his slate of bills, then adjourning and immediately regrouping to consider alternative legislation approved by their leaders.

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a plan that includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants.

Florida does not need to “duplicate the functions of U.S. Immigration and Customs and create a mini-me version of ICE,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez.

"Just like all the immigration bills we passed, it isn't a silver bullet, but we're moving the ball forward, and we have to support the president."

This was the first time the Republican-controlled legislature denied a Republican governor a special session since the GOP took control in the 1990s.