DeSantis Removes Hillsborough County's Top Prosecutor
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren effective immediately, citing neglect of duty and misuse of prosecutorial discretion. The suspension followed Warren joining other prosecutors in signing public statements pledging not to enforce certain Florida laws, including potential future laws restricting abortion access and laws prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.
Governor Cites Refusal to Enforce Laws as Grounds
Governor DeSantis's executive order outlined the grounds for suspension, focusing on Warren's signing of joint statements with other prosecutors. These statements declared an intention not to prosecute cases related to abortion restrictions or the prohibition of specific medical treatments for transgender minors. DeSantis asserted these pledges amounted to a blanket refusal to enforce duly enacted state laws, violating Warren's oath of office.
“State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on their personal agenda,” DeSantis stated at a press conference announcing the suspension. He argued Warren's actions constituted a neglect of duty detrimental to the safety and legal order of the community.
Warren Condemns Suspension as 'Political Overreach'
Andrew Warren vehemently contested the suspension, labeling it a 'political stunt' and an 'illegal overreach' by the Governor. He argued that prosecutors must exercise discretion and that his statements concerned hypothetical future laws or laws not yet in effect. Warren maintained he was fulfilling his duties responsibly and pledged to fight the suspension.
"The Governor is trying to overthrow democracy here in Hillsborough County," Warren asserted, framing the suspension as an attack on a duly elected official intended to score political points.
Susan Lopez Appointed as Acting State Attorney
Following Warren's suspension, Governor DeSantis appointed Hillsborough County Court Judge Susan Lopez to serve as Acting State Attorney. Lopez, appointed by DeSantis to the county court in 2021, assumed the duties of the office during the suspension period.
Legal Battle and Constitutional Questions
Warren swiftly filed a lawsuit challenging the suspension, arguing it violated his First Amendment rights and exceeded the Governor's authority under the Florida Constitution. The state constitution permits the Governor to suspend state officials for specific reasons like malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect of duty. The ensuing legal battle tested the boundaries between gubernatorial power and the discretion afforded to elected prosecutors.
Sharp Divisions and National Attention
The suspension immediately drew national attention and starkly divided opinions. Supporters of Governor DeSantis praised the move as necessary accountability for a prosecutor perceived as unwilling to enforce the law. Critics, including many Democrats and legal experts, condemned it as an authoritarian abuse of power aimed at punishing a political opponent. The controversy highlighted ongoing national debates over the role of prosecutors and the politicization of the justice system.