Array
PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–A federal judge has ruled that a Florida prosecutor suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis will remain out of office while the court case against the state moves toward trial.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, on Sept. 19, denied a motion to reinstate Andrew Warren, former state attorney for Hillsborough County. After his dismissal on Aug. 4, Warren sued the governor to get his job back saying that his first amendment rights had been violated. Warren, a Democrat, was elected in 2016 and again in 2020. DeSantis removed the prosecutor after Warren signed letters of intent that he would not pursue criminal charges against seekers or providers of abortion or gender transition, as well as not bringing forth charges for certain crimes.
The DeSantis administration said they are satisfied with the judge’s decision.
“We are pleased that the court denied Andrew Warren’s request for a preliminary injunction,” Bryan Griffin, press secretary to the governor, told The Epoch Times in an email. “The Governor is entrusted by the people of Florida to utilize his constitutional powers and may suspend elected officials in Florida who refuse to enforce the law.”
Warren contends he was fighting for democracy by defending himself in court.
“Today is an important day in an important fight for democracy—our democracy,” Warren told reporters after the hearing in federal court in Tallahassee. “I’ve spent my career walking into court as a prosecutor, fighting for victims. Today, I went in as a plaintiff, fighting for democracy itself.
