Ten DeSantis policies that are too much even for Trump

Ever since Ron DeSantis officially put his name in the 2024 Republican Primary race, his eyes are on the US Presidential election that same year. The Florida Governor is well known for his "anti-woke" rhetoric, but what are his policies?

DeSantis has faced criticism from other primary candidates due to some policies they find too restricting or contrary to the party's beliefs.

An example is the board DeSantis appointed to oversee all Disney developments in the state during a very public battle with the company.

According to the Associated Press, candidates like Nikki Haley and Mike Pence have said that the DeSantis board is attacking businesses, which is not the Republican thing to do.

Another policy that raised eyebrows even among his conservative peers is his six-week abortion ban. The AP said DeSantis signed the measure in a private ceremony without fanfare.

His rival Trump told The Messenger that DeSantis's ban on abortion was viewed as "too harsh" by "many people within the pro-life movement."

Other DeSantis policies have gone under the radar of his opponent but are far more rigid than any implemented by former President Trump, like his immigration overhaul.

According to CNN, the law invalidates out-of-state IDs, such as driver's licenses, issued to undocumented immigrants and forces employers with more than 25 workers to check their status.

The immigration law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, says the AP, which would discourage undocumented people from seeking medical assistance.

The immigration law came shortly after controversial laws targeting trans people by restricting gender-affirming treatments for minors, bathroom usage, and pronoun declaration at schools.

A new law gave the administration power to take away licenses from establishments if they allowed children into an "adult live performance," widely interpreted as a crackdown on drag shows, said CNN.

Those new policies align with what critics call the "Don't Say Gay" law, prohibiting schools from teaching about gender identity and sexuality, which DeSantis recently expanded to all grades.

The Florida governor also defunded state colleges' diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. According to Reuters, many higher education experts and free speech advocates opposed this policy.

The defunding was signed the same month the DeSantis administration blocked an Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught at high schools, explained the AP.

Amid the US book-banning fever, the Florida governor issued pass three state laws aimed at reading or educational materials, according to The New York Times, removing books like The Handmaid's Tale from school libraries.

Book prohibitions are issued primarily thanks to parents and conservative groups. AP's Brendan Farrington explained that DeSantis had been more directly involved in parent boards than any other governor.

He has also loosened up on gun control. In April, DeSantis signed a bill that, according to Forbes, eliminates the requirement that an individual obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Florida.