Politics
Florida Republican Leader Accuses DeSantis of ‘Temper Tantrums’ and ‘Choosing to Lie’
By Jake Beardslee · April 24, 2025
DeSantis Feuds with Florida Republicans Over Budget Disputes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is embroiled in a growing feud with members of his own party in the state Legislature, highlighting deepening divisions within the Florida GOP. The latest dispute centers around budget disagreements—specifically over Everglades restoration funding. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Everglades Funding at Center of GOP Budget Battle
DeSantis had requested $805 million to support Everglades restoration, which he says will benefit both the environment and the state economy. But the Florida House proposed less than $300 million, prompting DeSantis to criticize the GOP leadership during a press conference in Naples. “A lot of the reason they're doing it is because the leadership in the House of Representatives has taken a position that if I'm for something, that it's their view to just oppose us, just in a knee-jerk fashion,” he said. Bruce Warrington / Unsplash
House Speaker Accuses DeSantis of Overreacting
House Speaker Daniel Perez responded to DeSantis’ remarks by questioning the governor’s approach and grasp of the budget, according to Florida Politics. “It seems that we’re getting into this regularity where he has a temper tantrum,” Perez said. “He gets in front of a camera and he starts to do one of two things—willingly choosing to lie about what he is telling the people in front of a camera, or he is choosing not to read the bills or look at our budget.” Photos by Alicia Devine (left) / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Past Clashes Resurface in GOP In-Fighting
DeSantis has previously clashed with Republican lawmakers over immigration policies and the scrutiny of a $10 million payment tied to an organization connected to his wife, Casey DeSantis. He labeled such investigations as Republican-fueled "smear campaigns." Gregg Pachkowski/Pensacola News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
GOP Officials Speak Out Against Budget Cuts
State figures are weighing in. Commissioner Anthony Sabatini posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The Florida House is trying to CUT $500,000,000 in funding from Everglades Restoration. This is insane.” Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Perez Urges Unity Despite Policy Differences
Perez, meanwhile, struck a more conciliatory tone in an interview with Politico: “Just because our opinion is different than his doesn't mean we have to be enemies. He is choosing to be enemies. I don't want to be his enemy. I want to be his partner.” Mishalynn Brown/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images