(Chris Parker, Headline USA) Former Florida prosecutor Andrew Warren is threatening legal action against Gov. Ron DeSantis following his suspension last week.
Desantis suspended Warren last week after publicly admitted that he refused to prosecute the state’s abortion laws. He was also frequently accused by law enforcement agencies of being soft on crime.
“Prosecutors have a duty to enforce the law, not pick and choose which laws they agree with. The State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit, Andrew Warren, has instituted nonenforcement policies and has declared that he will refuse to enforce laws he doesn’t like,” DeSantis tweeted. The announcement was followed by heavy applause from a crowd filled with law enforcement officials.
Warren announced his lawsuit via OneDrive video shared on Facebook, reported Yahoo! News. He claimed DeSantis is trying to overthrow democracy. He also plastered the wall behind him with pictures of his family.
“Ron DeSantis is trying to overthrow Democracy in Florida. His plot to suspend me blatantly violates the most fundamental basis of our Democracy: your vote.” He also claimed that DeSantis wants to throw women and doctors in jail.
DeSantis accused Warren of “acting above the law” and “displaying a lack of competence to be able to perform” his duties.
Warren claimed near the end of the video that Florida’s abortion bill hasn’t become law yet. However, the law went into effect July 1, although it is currently under a court challenge.
The law prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancies unless the life of the fetus or mother is at stake, or if the mother potentially faces significant injury. Violators could be imprisoned for five years, and doctors face $10,000 fines per violation and the loss of their licenses.
Florida’s state senate could still reinstate Warren without the approval of DeSantis. However, its current Republican majority is unlikely to do that.
DeSantis appointed Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to take Warren’s place.
