Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, who was suspended for refusing to enforce abortion laws or bans on sex changes for minors, has filed a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The lawsuit, filed by the Democrat prosecutor in Tallahassee on Wednesday, alleges that Governor DeSantis violated Warren’s First Amendment rights and asks for his job to be reinstated.
“If the governor’s allowed to do this, what’s left of democracy? If the governor’s allowed to retaliate against me for speaking out, what’s left of the First Amendment,” Warren said at a press conference about the lawsuit.
“The governor has attacked our democracy and it should worry everyone,” Warren continued. “If the governor’s attempt to unilaterally overturn an election is allowed to stand, it threatens to undermine the integrity and outcome of elections across our state for years to come.”
The Hill reports that “the lawsuit alleges that DeSantis did not identify any actual conduct involving criminal activity that would warrant a suspension and says the governor is punishing Warren for voicing positions that DeSantis opposes.”
“Of course, DeSantis is free to express his views and his disagreements with Warren as often as he likes. Indeed, the Federal Constitution ensures that he is,” the lawsuit says. “DeSantis went too far.”
Warren, an elected official, argued that he has a duty to voters to explain his positions on important issues and that as a prosecutor he is entitled to decide which cases to prosecute.
In the order for his suspension, DeSantis pointed out that Warren has signed joint statements with prosecutors from other states vowing not to enforce certain laws, essentially vetoing the state legislature.
“We are suspending Soros-backed 13th circuit state attorney Andrew Warren for neglecting his duties as he pledges not to uphold the laws of the state,” DeSantis’ office said in a statement on August 4, the same day that he held a press conference announcing the move.
DeSantis asserted that Warren’s promises amounted to “neglect of duty.”
“State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda,” said DeSantis. “It is my duty to hold Florida’s elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida.”
For his part, Warren claimed at a press conference following the suspension that his office is “protecting people’s rights.”
“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.”
Warren also took a jab at the governor, implying that the suspension was a political stunt for presidential aspirations.
“I think the Governor is trying to make a good impression on the Iowa caucus voters,” Warren said.
