Securing America's border isn't controversial for most voters.
But one Democrat gubernatorial candidate made a pledge that exposed his radical views.
And Byron Donalds slammed the Democrat candidate with one word that left him scrambling.
The Trump-endorsed Republican frontrunner just delivered a brutal reality check to former GOP congressman-turned-Democrat David Jolly over immigration enforcement.
Jolly made the mistake of attacking 287(g) agreements that let local law enforcement work with ICE to deport criminal illegal aliens.
Jolly Promised to Undo ICE Cooperation in Florida
Orange County detained more than 3,500 illegal aliens on ICE holds since signing its 287(g) agreement during Trump's first administration.
These partnerships help identify and remove non-citizens involved in criminal activity while they're already in jail.
Jolly attacked the program on Facebook by claiming it doesn't make communities safer.
"Expanding detention facilities in Orlando won't make the community safer, just more fearful," Jolly wrote. "It was wrong then, and it's wrong now."
He's promising to repeal these agreements if elected governor.
That puts him squarely against the voters who just handed Trump a landslide victory on border security.
https://twitter.com/ByronWarRoom/status/2013330149110886590?s=20
Donalds Didn't Hold Back His Response
Donalds fired back on X with one devastating word.
"What Democrats are doing to obstruct, impede, and sabotage @ICEgov is treasonous," Donalds posted.
The Naples congressman didn't stop there.
"The American people granted @POTUS a mandate to deport illegal aliens and Make America Safe Again," Donalds wrote. "As Governor, ANY FLORIDA OFFICIAL that blocks these lawful actions will be REMOVED FROM OFFICE."
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2012611977332310445?s=20
That's the kind of backbone Florida voters are hungry for.
Donalds currently leads the Republican primary by 37 points over his nearest competitor.
Trump's endorsement gives him a commanding 68-10 advantage when voters are reminded who the President backs.
Democrats Keep Choosing the Wrong Side
Jolly represents everything wrong with Democrats on immigration.
His entire political career since leaving the GOP has been about opposing Trump rather than standing for anything.
Florida voters remember what happened the last time a former Republican ran for governor as a Democrat.
Charlie Crist got crushed by Ron DeSantis by 19 points in 2022.
Jolly is following the exact same playbook and expecting different results.
The 287(g) program works because it targets criminal illegal aliens who are already in jail.
Between 2006 and 2015, more than 402,000 illegal immigrants were identified for deportation through these agreements.
Democrats opposed it then and they're opposing it now.
But Trump just ordered ICE to expand 287(g) partnerships "to the maximum extent permitted by law" in his executive order on January 20, 2025.
The program jumped from 135 agreements in January 2025 to 649 by June 2025.
Donalds stands with the President and with Florida law enforcement who want the tools to remove criminal illegal aliens.
Jolly stands with the radical left-wing activists who want to obstruct deportations.
That contrast couldn't be clearer heading into 2026.
Sources:
- Dmitri Bolt, "Byron Donalds Slams Gubernatorial Opponent Over ICE Policy, Vows Tough Stance on Illegal Immigration," Townhall, January 19, 2026.
- Frank Kopylov, "Byron Donalds defends strong immigration stance against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jolly's divisive pledge," Florida News, January 19, 2026.
- Max Bacall, "Rep Donalds accuses Minnesota Democrats of stoking anti-ICE unrest after agitators storm church," Fox News, January 19, 2026.
- "Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act," ICE, March 24, 2020.
- "The 287(g) Program: An Overview," American Immigration Council, July 8, 2025.
- "Latest 2026 Florida GOP gubernatorial poll shows Byron Donalds blowing away the rest of the field," Florida Phoenix, January 2026.
- "Former Republican David Jolly launches long-shot bid for Florida governor as a Democrat," NBC News, June 5, 2025.
