Kelly Hayes
Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren lambasted Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend the prosecutor, arguing the Governor is “trying to overthrow the results of a free and fair election.”
“People need to understand this isn’t the Governor trying to suspend the one elected official, Warren said. “This is the Governor trying to overthrow democracy here in Hillsborough County.”
Warren responded to the Governor’s decision after a press conference on a cold case recently solved by his office. The announcement came without notice to Warren, who said he has not yet gotten the chance to read the suspension, but said he “heard it contains a lot of conjecture and lies.”
“I woke up to do my job today, and that’s exactly what I did,” Warren said. “Just based on the Governor’s track record with unconstitutional orders, I have a feeling that this is going to be just as unconstitutional.”
Earlier Thursday morning, DeSantis announced the suspension of the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, replacing the progressive prosecutor with Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez. In announcing Warren’s suspension, the Governor claimed Warren refused to enforce the law — specifically, he cited Warren’s refusal to enforce bans on abortion and gender-affirming surgery.
Most recently, Warren pledged he would not enforce Florida’s new law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which prompted the Governor’s decision.
“We’re protecting people’s rights; we have fought so hard for public safety and fairness and justice. If the Governor thinks he can do a better job, then he should run for state attorney — not President,” Warren said. “The Governor wants to do his sideshow with his cronies. I’m the one who’s upholding the law.”
When asked about the specific issues brought up by the Governor — not enforcing a 15-week abortion ban and a prohibition of gender-affirming surgery for minors — Warren said he has yet to have a case brought to him on either matter.
“We’ve had none. None of those cases have been brought to us. We’re not anticipating those cases being brought to us,” he said. “You should go ask the Sheriff whether he has had those cases and whether they’re investigating arresting people for that, because when they do, and they bring us a case, we’ll evaluate it.”
Warren, who was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, has pushed for justice reform throughout his tenure. While his progressive approach has earned praise from some, DeSantis criticized his use of power.
“I think the Governor is trying to make a good impression on the Iowa caucus voters,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist also hammered into Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend Warren following the State Attorney’s press conference.
“He was maliciously attacked and sabotaged today, in his own office,” Crist said. “I’ve talked to a number of great legal minds today that are appalled by the Governor, they cannot believe it.”
Crist, who previously served as Florida Attorney General, said prosecutorial discretion is “inherent to the office.” He went on to call DeSantis “the most arrogant Governor I’ve ever seen in my life.”
The Congressman, who is also running for Governor, followed his meeting by joining a protest in Tampa against the Governor’s decision. The move has garnered harsh criticism by state Democrats.
19 comments
Elliott Offen
August 4, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Republican fascist insurrectionists at it again. What’s next? State of Florida sponsored terrorists? Oh wait, most of the J6 terrorists were from Florida with trips funded by local GOP.
John Doe
August 5, 2022 at 9:45 am
You FI_ICKING ignoramus. Refusing to obey and enforce duly enacted laws is what leftist fascists do. Clubbing those who take such a position like baby seals is what a strong elected governor is born to do.
JT LPSCOMB
August 5, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Go home “MAGA” head. This topic is for adults. By the way, who do you love best: Trump or Desantis. News for you: Both are losers.
tom palmer
August 4, 2022 at 6:01 pm
This will be a developing story and we’re left to wonder how Amerika’s Goober will look at the end.
PeterH
August 4, 2022 at 7:22 pm
DeSantis is nothing more than a narcissist blowhard bomb thrower.
Again DeSantis controls the media discussion of problems that don’t exist.
DeSantis HAS REAL PROBLEMS….but like his predecessor Rick Scott he kicks the can down the road….. waiting for some Democratic administration to fix his mess.
Ask DeSantis what he’s doing about the over 9000 educator vacancies in Florida’s school system and he’ll reply: “Send in the Marines’ or ‘hold that thought while I write my address for the white nationalist rally in Dallas this weekend!”
Vote Republicans out of office. Their policies are built around imaginary problems that are meant to propel him into the Oval Office. If we can vote him out of office in Florida ….. we’ll never have to suffer his wingnut administration in Washington.
John Doe
August 5, 2022 at 9:47 am
Did somebody trigger little gayPeter? Go continue spreading Monkey Pox at all your little gaygettogethers.
duckczn
August 4, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Who is putting themselves above the law? Isn’t an executive order a form of letting any dictator do what they want under the pretense of being legal?
Antonio
August 4, 2022 at 7:33 pm
This guy was literally letting criminals off the hook. I just came back from a week in Los Angeles and saw the effects of of lax District Attorneys like this guy. It is gross, disgusting, and dangerous. We do not want that here.
Mike Jones
August 4, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Thank God for DeSantis, all you libs please move to NY or California. Good riddance
Joe Corsin
August 4, 2022 at 10:30 pm
Not a chance buddy. We will defeat fascism in Florida one way or another.
John Doe
August 5, 2022 at 9:48 am
CAN’T WAIT for you to try fat old faggot. We are armed and we are prepared for you to make your move.
Liz hill
August 5, 2022 at 8:59 am
A lot of us are independent centrists who just don’t like autocratic freedom stealing racist governor.
George
August 5, 2022 at 7:10 am
Yes. Too many criminals are being let off the hook. Chief among them is Donald Trump.
just sayin
August 5, 2022 at 8:10 am
The State Attorney’s job is to enforce the law. Publicly stating you won’t enforce the law should get you suspended. That’s common sense. He’s not part of the legislative branch.
Lex Taylor
August 5, 2022 at 9:03 am
More than any branch, the Judicial Branch needs to stay away from setting policy. Choosing not to enforce laws is not an option for a Judge or Prosecutor. It’s not his or her job to make laws. Warren is well within his rights to campaign and champion political change, but if he wants to make the change he needs to move to the legislative branch of government. We are tearing ourselves apart by granting powers to the Executive and Judicial branches that are solely legislative functions. In the long run, we will be far better served by Judicial and Executive Officials staying out of the policy making business.
Andrew Finn
August 5, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Too bad we can’t just “suspend” Emperor DeSantis and be rid of the “wanna be dictator” for good. Having been a life-time Republican voter in local, state, and national elections for decades, in November I will break with my tradition and vote for anybody (and I mean ANYBODY) who winds up running against him. DeSantis has got to go, and the sooner the better !!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a comment
August 5, 2022 at 5:48 pm
They will all get brain Cancer from the toxicity of international food. And no more home grown because I want a million dollar home
Just a comment
August 8, 2022 at 9:24 am
Seriously it is not a good feeling getting attacked and sabotaged
C j
August 6, 2022 at 3:06 pm
So much for the free state of Florida. Why is DeSantis not suspending the Florida sheriffs who’ve said they will not enforce any law they feel is unconstitutional?
Comments are closed.