Florida politicians react to Ron DeSantis’ latest State Attorney suspension

Ron DeSantis, Monique Worrell.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell, the second Democratic prosecutor he removed from office this year. That prompted responses from across the political spectrum.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Naples Republican, said: “This is the right move. Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies are eroding our communities and families’ ability to feel safe. In February, I called on State Attorney Monique Worrell to deliver the justice and accountability needed for the families affected by shootings in her district and said her suspension would be fully justified. She failed to do her job. Families deserve better.”

Suspended 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Andrew Warren, released a statement: “Another illegal and unconstitutional attack on democracy by a small, scared man who is desperate to save his political career. He wants to be a bully, but he’s actually a coward who has repeatedly violated the rule of law and the will of the voters to cover up his own weakness.”

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, released a statement: “Governor DeSantis’ abuse of power knows no end. His latest ousting of a duly-elected prosecutor undermines Floridians’ sacred right to vote and our democratic values. Just last year, DeSantis put his political ambitions over Florida voters and suspended Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren in a politically craven and illegal move. While DeSantis is focused on making news headlines, he is costing Floridians a lot – higher bills, a real financial squeeze, and our ability to choose our own leaders. State Attorney Monique Worrell is a trusted elected official in Orange and Osceola counties. DeSantis continues to distract voters from his actions of wasting taxpayer dollars, ignoring skyrocketing costs for hard-working families, abusing his power and wreaking havoc on students and schools. Governor DeSantis is failing in the polls and failing our state. Floridians will remember who ripped away their freedoms and left them with higher costs across the board.”

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat, released a statement: “We saw this coming from a mile away – with his presidential campaign up in flames, wanna-be dictator Governor Ron DeSantis is taking a page out of his tired playbook by unconstitutionally suspending a duly elected State Attorney to breathe life back into his tired conservative persona. For months, this Governor has chosen to not only attack but abuse the power of his office to feed red meat to his conservative base and remove elected officials who threaten his agenda. But once again, it’s our communities and the people of Florida that have become pawns in DeSantis’s long-term plans for total and absolute power. Where has this Governor been as our insurance market collapses? Or as thousands of people get priced out of their homes during one of the worst affordability crises our state has ever seen while Florida battles record inflation? He’s not in Florida because he does not care. There is only one person in our state whose’ administration has been ‘clearly and fundamentally derelict, so as to constitute neglect of duty and incompetence’ and it’s the person sitting in the Governor’s Mansion. State Attorney Worrell is a duly elected public servant who has done her job. The people of Orange County see this fraud suspension for what it is and continue to offer her our support as she fights this overreach of power. We will not stand for this blatant abuse of power and fascism in our state.”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, released a statement: “Ron DeSantis’ autocratic removal of yet another elected official, purely because he disagrees with her decisions, is the epitome of the weaponization of government. The authoritarian tactic of removing duly-elected officials without legal cause is a direct affront to voters and Gov. DeSantis’ removal of the Orlando State Attorney is a brazen and petulant act of a flailing presidential candidate whose disregard for democracy and the rule of law is deeply troubling. DeSantis is already being dragged through courts for a similar government removal overreach in Tampa. Compounding that with this latest capricious ouster will not only litigiously waste more taxpayer dollars, it needlessly disrupts the administration of justice in yet another metro area of our state. Tinpot dictators and MAGA extremists will certainly smile on the governor’s dictatorial power grab, but it is yet one more alarming act that undermines our democracy and the will of thousands of Florida voters.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, at a press conference said this in part: “Today is a serious, solemn day. Anytime this occurs in the state of Florida, it’s not what we would have wanted for the people of the state of Florida. But nonetheless, it is absolutely imperative for the protection of our citizens and we’re fortunate to have a Governor committed to both the rule of law and to holding elected officials accountable for doing the jobs that they swore to do. In this instance, Ms. Worrell failed to do the job for which she was elected. The job for which she was elected to do as a simple one. It is to protect the public by prosecuting people. She will say first and foremost, she has another agenda before she’s a prosecutor. The job she was elected to do is not to be a Legislature or not to be a Judge. She is a prosecutor who swore to prosecute those that violate the law. When a prosecutor fails to follow the law and do her job, those failures naturally have allowed countless citizens of the 9th Circuit to be unnecessarily victimized. If she were allowed to continue in this office, her failure would continue to cause needless pain, suffering and death.”

State House Speaker Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, posted: “The residents of Central Florida expect their State Attorney to actively pursue justice, hold criminals responsible for their actions, and protect the public from those who wish to cause harm. Monique Worrell’s tenure in office has been a demonstrative failure on all of these fronts. I applaud Governor DeSantis for taking action to suspend Monique Worrell for her unwillingness to prosecute dangerous criminals and for failing victims. Radical ideologues like Chesa Boudin, George Gascon, Andrew Warren, and Monique Worrell put communities across America at risk. Florida is committed to keeping our streets and citizens safe. Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing what Mrs. Worrell and her rogue colleagues refuse to do – put the safety and well-being of our residents and millions of visitors to Central Florida first.”

State House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, issued a statement: “In 2020, Monique Worrell was elected overwhelmingly by her community as state attorney. She didn’t finish third behind Vivek Ramaswamy. The people of Orange and Osceola Counties chose her to represent their interests and principles. They did not need Ron DeSantis to throw out their vote and install someone who does not share their values. This is not democracy, but it is Florida today, sadly. DeSantis and his allies have said they want to reshape Florida’s circuit court system. Their extremist views are rejected in many of our communities, so they plan to gerrymander Blue counties out of the right to pick their own state attorneys. This is the same playbook that just failed the GOP in Ohio—if you can’t win on your ideas, rig the game. This is not what our Constitution lays out, and it’s not what the people of any community in Florida deserve. Monique Worrell’s replacement has been elected by a constituency of one, and he lives in Tallahassee, not the central Florida community of the 9th Circuit.”

State Sen. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat, issued a statement: “Governor Ron DeSantis removed a second State Attorney on false allegations of dereliction of duty. Monique Worrell is a Democrat serving in a largely Democratic county, and was targeted for a politically motivated stunt. If this Governor actually cared about law and order the way he touts in his absentee leadership, we would see those changes. The Department of Corrections would be directed to address its shortages, crime prevention bills would take place on the front end, and prison sentences would be actually rehabilitative, rather than just a warehouse. He doesn’t care about law and order, he cares about personal power. Worrell is the only Black state attorney elected in the state of Florida. It is no coincidence that at the first bit of scrutiny, the governor set her in his crosshairs. He removed a duly elected official in order to replace her with a more conservative figurehead, to reinforce that his way is the only way.  This dictatorial leadership is only another feather in the cap of targeted anti-Black policy that the other side will cheer for. We all know this governor is not above vindictive, harmful decisions that will take years to repair. We all know he is focused on undermining Democratic officials in Democratic counties. We all know there is no limit to how far he will go to receive absolute control. DeSantis wrangled local loyalists to create a media narrative against Worrell. He has no interest in protecting Floridians, just achieving his partisan agenda.”

State Sen. Victor Torres, a Kissimmee Democrat, issued a statement: “Once again, we see the Governor acting against the will of the voters by suspending another elected State Attorney. This trend of disregarding the democratic process has continued for years. First, the State Attorney for the 13th Circuit, then several School Board members in Broward County, and now, the duly elected State Attorney for the 9th Circuit in Orlando. Prosecutors are entrusted with the responsibility of exercising prosecutorial discretion, and these suspensions only undermine that crucial function. We have to protect the choice the voters made at the ballot box.” said Senator Torres. The Governor is distracted by his flailing political ambitions outside of the state. In this morning’s press conference, the Florida Flag was notably missing from the Cabinet room. Now it appears he is exploiting public facilities to advance his personal, political agenda, at the expense of democracy for all Floridians.“

State Rep. Daryl Campbell, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, issued a statement: “What we have seen here is yet another attack on not just the Black Community, but Black women who continue to endure life in Florida at the treacherous hands of both detrimental legislation and political motives. It’s imperative that the governor recognize the ramifications of removing yet another elected official from their office effectively silencing the voices of the people who elected State Attorney Monique Worrell. It’s disappointing, to say the least, but the overreach is just another example of a governor who blurs the lines between democracy and autocracy whenever he exercises his executive power. If the governor wishes to invest his efforts into prioritizing public safety and ‘doing what’s right’ for Floridians, I ask him to invest those efforts where it matters: Addressing the housing crisis, focusing on a crumbling property insurance market, and implementing inclusive, diverse, and equitable instruction in our great state.”

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, released a statement: “This is absolutely disgusting — State Attorney Monique Worrell is a duly elected official and the only Black woman serving as State Attorney in Florida right now. Her removal is a complete slap in the face to Orange and Osceola County residents and another example of Gov. DeSantis eroding our local control and democracy. This politically motivated action by the Governor in a predominantly Democratic part of the state should alarm everyone. DeSantis is extreme, unfit to serve and must be held accountable.”

State Rep. Rita Harris, an Orlando Democrat, issued a statement: “In an entirely political move, Gov. DeSantis removed Monique Worrell from her duly elected position as State Attorney in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit. This is a gross abuse of power coming from the Governor, and he must be held accountable. In removing a duly elected official, who is also the only Black woman State Attorney in Florida, Gov. DeSantis has made his priorities clear. He does not care about the will of Floridians, but is actively using us as pawns to energize a national base in his run for higher office. Gov. DeSantis’ actions are outrageous and against the very fabric of our democracy. Although the citizens of Orange and Osceola County overwhelmingly elected Monique Worrell as their State Attorney, the Governor has taken that office hostage.”

State Rep. Michele Rayner, a St. Petersburg Democrat, issued a statement: “This decision is yet another appalling abuse of power that strikes at the heart of our democratic system and undermines the trust of the voters who elected Worrell to serve  in the pursuit of justice and public safety. Monique Worrell’s election as State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit was a testament to the faith and confidence the constituents of Circuit 9 placed in her. The Governor’s decision to forcibly remove her from this role is not only a blatant disregard for the will of the people, but also a calculated assault on the democratic values that our great state holds dear. Gov. DeSantis’s actions send a chilling message that his personal political agenda takes precedence over the voices and choices of the voters. By removing Monique Worrell without just cause, the Governor has effectively silenced the voices of Circuit 9 residents who saw in her a champion of justice, equality and fairness. It is the responsibility of elected officials, including the Governor, to respect the democratic process and to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency. This unjust removal of Monique Worrell is a flagrant violation of these principles and a direct attack on the very foundation of our government. I urge the residents of Circuit 9 to express their discontent and demand accountability from their elected officials. It is crucial that we stand united against such abuses of power and defend the principles of democracy that make our state and our nation strong.”

Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey, at the press conference, said this in part: “This is very simple. When it comes to law and order, Governor DeSantis is not playing. Governor DeSantis, like I and all the other standing up here, took an oath an oath of office to protect our communities. He understands that government’s one and only responsibility is to protect its citizens. His actions today, without question, saved the lives of citizens in Central Florida. They also saved the lives of citizens in other parts of this state, because, just like Sheriff Judd and the other surrounding counties, those criminals that were being led out, not charged, not prosecuted, were coming into my county as well. The two Orlando Police officers that were shot were from Broward County… If the State Attorney is not being the voice for the victims, our efforts are wasted. We arrest the same people over and over again. Central Florida has been exposed to a State Attorney that ignored her oath, a State Attorney that ignored being the voice of the victims, and today, Governor DeSantis is the voice for those victims.”

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at a press conference said this in part: “When Governor DeSantis was first elected, he was asked by the media about these laws that help people in prison. He was a brand new governor, and certainly he had the opportunity there in front of the media to say ‘Well, I’ll look into it. I’ll check it out.’ But he looked the cameras in the eye and says, ‘I believe in truth in sentencing.’ This governor has always put the victims, has always put the law-abiding citizens ahead of the criminals. Always. And that’s exactly what he’s done here today. I’ve had the honor of being in law enforcement my entire adult life. And I know true real leadership when I see true real leadership, and that’s what Governor DeSantis does every day when he comes to work. Let me talk about the suspended now, State Attorney Worrell. This is the bottom line. ‘Lacks prosecution’ plus ‘you don’t support law enforcement’ equals ‘People aren’t safe.’ People of Orange and Osceola County trusted that she would do her job. I’ve talked to the sheriffs of Osceola and orange, and I can tell you unequivocally they fear for the citizens the community because, despite their best efforts, no matter how many criminals you arrest, if the state attorney won’t hold them accountable, then the community’s not safe. Two Orlando Police officers were shot in the face. You know why they were shot in the face? Because she didn’t ask for a pre-trial hold on a very, very dangerous person. So these police officers out doing their job encounter him. What does he think? Probably they’re gonna take me back to jail? Well, I’ll just shoot them because, ‘Heck, after all, I probably won’t be prosecuted. I’ll be led out again.’

U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross, a Melbourne Republican, issued a statement: “Since launching this campaign, I’ve relied on my experience as an Assistant State Attorney to expose the serious issues undermining law and order in our state. While Rick Scott brags about his backing from law enforcement, his gubernatorial policies have blatantly failed to bridge the disconnect between arrest and prosecution… Today, we’re subjected to shameless grandstanding by politicians who have recklessly ignored the urgent needs of our state’s judicial system. As a former prosecutor, I categorically reject the soft-on-crime stances advocated by some, but I also refuse to turn a blind eye to the abject failures of both Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in adequately financing state attorney’s offices. The very same deficiencies we witness in Democrat State Attorney Monique Worrell’s actions are replicated in the practices of Republican State Attorney offices across the state. This issue transcends party affiliations; it’s emblematic of a leadership vacuum. Their preference for theatrical national posturing over serving Florida’s citizens is glaringly evident and it is not in the best interest of our state’s people.  I expect our Governor to offer solutions, and adequate funding, not lay the blame of understaffing on someone who isn’t in charge of the budget. The criticism Governor DeSantis places on Worrell’s performance is essentially that she makes plea deals, which every state attorney’s office does, because they are forced to. They don’t have enough lawyers to try cases who refuse to plead guilty so they have no choice but to reduce some charges to entice defendants to take the deal.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said: “Ron DeSantis has gone too far. Monique Worrell is a devoted public servant — one who was elected overwhelmingly by her constituents. This political hit job threatens our democracy and undermines the will of the people. Just days ago, Monique spoke out against Florida’s new education standards; standards that would teach our children that there was some kind of benefit to slavery. Ron’s extremist administration has consistently targeted the rights and freedoms of Black and brown Floridians, and the suspension of State Attorney Worrell — the only Black woman State Attorney in Florida — is clearly racially and politically motivated. Ron’s presidential campaign has been a disaster of epic proportions, but attacking law and order in service of his culture wars isn’t the solution to his problems. On behalf of her constituents, the Florida Democratic Party demands the immediate reinstatement of State Attorney Worrell.”

Florida Republican Party Chair Christian Ziegler tweeted: “Florida — especially Central Florida — is safer today than it was yesterday. On another note: It seems as if the Radical Soros State Attorney’s top reason/compliant for being removed was that she wasn’t going to get paid. Liberals aren’t in these positions to serve.”

Former U.S. Rep. Val Demings, posted: “State Attorney Worrell was overwhelmingly elected by the voters but Ron DeSantis doesn’t care about our democracy or the voices of the people. Suspending her is just the latest desperate stunt from a desperate man who wants to be President. Shameful and un-American. DeSantis wants us to think he’s ‘tough on crime’ when he can’t even call out his own campaign opponent? DeSantis’ weak, sad responses to the former President’s numerous indictments say more than this stunt ever could.”

Former state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat and state Senate candidate, released a statement: “Ron DeSantis’ removal of Orlando’s duly elected state attorney Monique Worrell, one of America’s only elected Black female prosecutors, is a hostile attack on the rights of Florida voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box. This move is entirely political and is a frightening escalation of his administration’s total disregard for the constitution, for our democracy and for the rule of law. Monique Worrell was elected with over 60% of the vote based on her promise to uphold the values of Central Florida while in office. She has fulfilled that promise. I supported her then and I support her now. I stand with Monique Worrell.”

Equal Ground founder Jasmine Burney-Clark, issued a statement: “Yet again, Governor Ron DeSantis has abused his power and undercut the democratic process in Florida by suspending State Attorney Monique Worrell – the state’s only Black woman State Attorney. A duly elected public servant, State Attorney Worrell has done her job consistent with the law and commitment she made to the voters who elected her in 2020. This reckless pattern of removing political opponents from office is not how we should govern in Florida. In his announcement of her suspension, the Governor claims that Attorney Worell ‘abused discretion’. Not only is that a matter of opinion, but the discretion Attorney Worrell exercises is afforded to her by the state constitution and is consistent with the other 19 State Attorneys throughout the state. As a Black-led voting rights organization, Equal Ground calls on the Governor to reverse this decision and stop using Black Women and voters as a pawn in his pursuit of the White House.”

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, posted: “Suspending a black State Attorney after she spoke at AME convention — is not ‘law and order’ — it is an abuse of power and the stripping of fundamental freedoms — both the voters and State Attorney Worrell.”

Equality Florida Press Secretary Brandon Wolf said: “The courts have already said this is illegal. But DeSantis is desperate and daring someone to stop him. We elected Monique Worrell with 67% of the vote. America beware: when democracy is an obstacle, the DeSantis regime will light it ablaze too.”

Fair and Just Prosecution Executive Director Miriam Krinsky issued a statement: “Today, Gov. Ron DeSantis showed yet again his disdain for his own constituents and the foundation of our democracy by removing State Attorney Monique Worrell from office. This is a deeply disturbing abuse of power that overrules the will of voters and threatens the separation of powers that is foundational to the operation of the criminal legal system and the rule of law. While the governor wants you to believe his actions are predicated on promoting public safety, the truth is that he removed SA Worrell as a desperate political stunt. Indeed, as the discovery in Andrew Warren’s case revealed, he has been searching for a reason to remove her for well over a year. He decided he wanted her gone, and then went looking for a reason. The order in this case shows he never found one, but he removed her anyway. The people of Orange and Osceola counties elected SA Worrell based on her commitment to fairness and justice in the criminal legal system. During her time in office, she has created special victims and mental health units, developed a new diversion program to help reduce recidivism, and implemented policies to hold police officers accountable for misconduct. She also convened the first-ever violence prevention summit in her community, aimed at developing collaborative solutions to stop crime from happening before it occurred. She has enacted changes to make her community safer and stronger – just as she promised to do. This is the very essence of fulfilling her responsibility to her community, not ‘neglect of duty,’ as the governor falsely claims. And if her community disapproves of the job she is doing, it is up to them to make that decision, and not up to the governor to override the will of the people.”

The Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge #24 posted on Facebook: “More should have been done to keep the felon who shot our Officers behind bars. Had the State Attorney’s Office been a little more aggressive trying to keep violent offenders in jail, maybe the encounter on August 4 would not have happened.”

The Florida House Democratic Caucus released a statement: “Once again, DeSantis removes an elected official because he disagrees with them. This is political, and an attack on the voters of Orange and Osceola Counties who voted for Worrell.”

Orange County Rainbow Democrats posted: “Ron DeSantis has suspended our local prosecutor (Monique Worrell), who is now the second to receive a suspension. Even though data from her office shows ‘that her prosecution rate was similar to that of her predecessors.’ Let’s be clear, this was only done because of DeSantis’s dying campaign, and he wanted more airtime to try and get ‘points’ with his anti-woke campaign.”