Gov. DeSantis calls SCOTUS abortion leak a ‘judicial insurrection’

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Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday decried the Supreme Court leak as a “judicial insurrection” that is intended to “kneecap” the High Court’s conservative majority, marking the Republican Governor’s first comment on the report since its late-night release.

DeSantis’ remarks came hours after POLITICO reported a draft Supreme Court opinion threatening to overturn Roe v. Wade. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, endangers the landmark 1973 case and carries a host of implications. It also marks the first Supreme Court leak in recent history.

Speaking to reporters in Fort Myers Beach, DeSantis lambasted the leak as an “unprecedented” and politically motivated “attack.”

“They need to figure out who did that and they need to hold them accountable because that’s a real significant breach of trust,” DeSantis said. “You want to talk about an insurrection, that’s a judicial insurrection, to be taking that out and trying to kneecap a potential majority through kind of extra-constitutional means.”

Desantis — who recently signed legislation banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy — stopped short of calling for more restrictions in Florida. The same is true of outgoing House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who instead Tuesday focused on the leak rather than future abortion policy.

DeSantis did, though, tout current Florida law as the “strongest” in decades. The new law makes no exception for rape or incest. State law previously allowed abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

“I’m somebody that believes in pro-life protections,” DeSantis said. “I think that it’s something that is based in science. I think it’s something that is based in kind of who we are as a society.”

The Supreme Court draft — if finalized without changes — would undoubtedly trigger a nationwide wave of legislative action.

More than 13 states would immediately outlaw abortion if the law is reversed. GOP-led states, meanwhile, would likely pursue more stringent abortion restrictions — if not outlaw the procedure altogether. Vice President Kamala Harris warned Tuesday of the looming fallout.

“Republican legislators in states across the country are weaponizing the use of the law against women,” said Harris, the nation’s first female Vice President. 

Calls to DeSantis are coming in quickly. Florida Voice for the Unborn — a pro-life advocacy group — is urging DeSantis to expand the upcoming Special Session and “prohibit nearly all” abortions with new legislation.

“The time for action is NOW! Gov. DeSantis must act to save Florida’s unborn children,” wrote Florida Voice for the Unborn Founder Andrew Shirvell. 

Democratic lawmakers in Florida fear the GOP-led Legislature will indeed enact stricter abortion restrictions. Protests are planned across the state, including at the Florida Capitol.

Democratic gubernatorial contenders are pouncing on the issue as well. U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist issued a statement Tuesday lambasting the draft as “gut-wrenching” while Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Sen. Annette Taddeo — opposing Democratic candidates — hosted a joint press conference in Miami. Crist is widely considered the frontrunner.

“This is a gut-wrenching day for women and reproductive freedom in our country,” Crist said.

A copy of the draft is available here.

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This is a developing story.