Attorney fired by DeSantis appeals his case to Supreme Court
A Florida attorney fired by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is asking the state's Supreme Court to return his job.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren (D) was suspended after making statements that he would not comply with a state law that bans most abortions at 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Florida attorney suspended by DeSantis appeals to state Supreme Court for reinstatement https://t.co/K9DTgzAlvd pic.twitter.com/rLK3APKojD
— The Hill (@thehill) February 17, 2023
The case
"Warren filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis for the suspension, and although a judge in January found that the move violated the Florida state constitution, he ruled he did not have the power to reinstate the prosecutor," The Hill reported.
“The assertion that Mr. Warren neglected his duty or was incompetent is incorrect,” U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said in the report. “This factual issue is not close.”
Warren is now appealing to the state's highest court in his battle to prove that DeSantis overstepped his authority in suspending him after the attorney criticized the abortion law.
Andrew Warren appeals suspension to Florida Supreme Court https://t.co/wVGRkvLuQQ pic.twitter.com/7DfFIFPdVg
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) February 16, 2023
Warren's fight
Warren's statement referred to the suspension as illegal, seeking the court to reinstate him.
“After a thorough review of the facts and the law, a federal court found that the Governor broke both Florida and U.S. laws and illegally suspended me," Warren wrote.
"We’re asking the Florida Supreme Court to affirm that finding and instruct the Governor to follow the law and reinstate me to office. We’re asking them to reiterate that no one is above the law—not even the Governor," he added.
Suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren wants to take his legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Supreme Court. https://t.co/titDBoGULv
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) February 16, 2023
"Warren had just joined a group of prosecutors in signing a letter saying they would not pursue criminal charges over people who seek or provide abortions or gender-affirming treatments," according to WTSP-TV.
"Since the start, Warren has called DeSantis' decision to suspend him politically motivated considering the governor made the announcement at a campaign-like rally with cheering supporters during which he attacked 'woke' ideology," it added.
Fueling DeSantis?
The battle continues as DeSantis finds himself as the top potential contender against former President Donald Trump in for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.
So far, DeSantis has left the door open for a White House bid but has not yet made any announcement.
The issue is also complicated by Florida state law that would not allow him to serve as governor while running for president. Some talk has been made about changing the law to allow him to do both, as other states like Texas do.
The ongoing abortion battle will remain part of the discussion as 2024 looms large, with Warren's case serving as a key aspect of the Florida battle.
