Jeffries calls DeSantis a lame duck over Florida which again splits the push
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Democratic House Minerals Leader Hakeem Jeffries ripped Gov. Ron DeSantis in an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday, called him a “lame duck” after the governor offered to pay for his trip to Florida amid forced deportations.
Jeffries warned DeSantis that he could put Republicans’ seats at risk as the Sunshine State remains in the grip of a statewide battle, with parties redistricting congressional districts to benefit the party.
“Ron DeSantis is putting his congressional delegation at risk, which probably shouldn’t be a surprise because they all, as I understand it, can’t stand Florida’s disabled governor,” Jeffries said.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., speaks before the House vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
DeSantis extended the invitation to Jeffries at a press conference in Kissimmee, Florida, on Wednesday following Jeffries’ warning to “F around and find out” about the redistricting.
“Please. Be my guest. I’ll pay you to come down to Florida and campaign,” DeSantis told the crowd. “I’m going to put you in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’re going to go fishing with you. We’re going to do all these things. There’s nothing better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries, Hakeem Jeffries, all over the state.”
Jeffries warned DeSantis earlier this week not to follow the lead of Texas, where Republicans are pushing a redistricting map to flip five Democratic-held seats.
“Our message to Florida Republicans is F around and get it,” Jeffries said. “If they go down the road of the DeSantis dummymander, the Florida Republicans will find themselves in the same situation as the Texas Republicans, who are running right now. Under no circumstances are the Texas Republicans taking five seats. They’ll be lucky if they get two or three. While we’re in California, we’ll get all five.”
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address on the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee on Jan. 13, 2026. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service)
Many states have moved forward with similar efforts to reimpose restrictions following a push by President Donald Trump.
Jeffries added that the battle for redistricting is far from over.
“Republicans are deluding themselves that they’re getting into the minority before one voter casts a ballot because they started this war and we’re going to finish it.”
As the 2026 midterms approach, both parties hope to win the House by contributing to reform.
President Trump urged Virginia voters this week to reject a “blatant partial power grab” in Virginia before voters head to the polls to vote on a congressional referendum on the ban, led by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
The referendum was passed Tuesday night, giving Virginia Democrats a big win and increasing the party’s chances in the midterms.
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The US Capitol building is seen at sunrise in Washington, DC, on Monday. March 9, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
DeSantis called a special session this week to focus on congressional maps that he says will “accurately reflect the population of our state.” The Florida state constitution prohibits favoring parties in redistricting.
Eight Democratic-held districts will be redrawn. Currently, Republicans hold 20 Florida seats, while Democrats hold eight.
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The restructuring plan has not been disclosed.
Fox News Digital’s Leo Briceno contributed to this report.
