(Chris Parker, Headline USA) To applause from law enforcement officials, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday suspended a far-leftist, George Soros-funded state attorney who has repeatedly refused to enforce state laws.
DeSantis suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren for failing to carry out his duties to “prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda,” the governor said.
In addition to overseeing soft-on-crime policies that have eroded Florida’s public safety, Warren had publicly admitted that he refused to prosecute the state’s abortion laws. Florida passed a ban on abortion after 15-weeks following the Supreme Court‘s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“When you flagrantly violate your oath of office, when you make yourself above the law, you have violated your duty and you are displaying a lack of competence to be able to perform those duties,” DeSantis said at a press conference surrounded by Tampa Bay law enforcement officers who cheered the announcement.
“The constitution of Florida has vested the veto power in the governor, not in state attorneys,” DeSantis said. “We are not going to allow this pathogen of ignoring the law get a foothold in the state of Florida.”
Under Florida law, a suspension for a state attorney is tantamount to being fired. Warren has not yet announced whether he plans to take actions over his suspension.
DeSantis said he had appointed Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to replace Warren and serve as acting state attorney of the 13th Judicial Circuit.
“I have the utmost respect for our state laws and I understand the important role that the State Attorney plays in ensuring the safety of our community and the enforcement of our laws,” Lopez said.
Progressive prosecutors backed by Soros have refused to enforce laws across the country. They treat criminals with deference & victims with contempt. This dereliction of duty is why crime is surging. But @GovRonDeSantis won’t stand for this. He just suspended the one in Florida.
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) August 4, 2022
Headline USA’s Mark Pellin contributed to this report
