Governor Ron DeSantis Suspends State Attorney Andrew Warren for Refusing to Enforce Florida Law
Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
TAMPA, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren of the 13th Judicial Circuit due to neglect of duty. The Governor has the authority to suspend a state officer under Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Florida. The Governor has appointed Susan Lopez to serve as State Attorney for the period of suspension. She has most recently been serving as a Judge on the Hillsborough County Court. To view the order suspending Andrew Warren and appointing Susan Lopez, click here.
“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 Governor Ron DeSantis. “It is my duty to hold Florida’s elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida. I have the utmost trust that Judge Susan Lopez will lead the office through this transition and faithfully uphold the rule of law.”
“I have the utmost respect for our state laws and I understand the important role that the State Attorney plays in ensuring the safety of our community and the enforcement of our laws,” said Susan Lopez, State Attorney of the 13th Judicial Circuit. “I want to thank the Governor for placing his trust in me, and I promise that I will faithfully execute the duties of this office.”
The Governor has the authority under the Florida Constitution to suspend state officials for reasons of misfeasance, malfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony. The Governor has further authority to fill that office by appointment for the duration of the suspension.
Susan Lopez was appointed by Governor DeSantis to serve as a judge on the Hillsborough County Court in 2021. She previously served as Assistant State Attorney of the 13th Judicial Circuit for more than 15 years and as Staff Attorney of the Second District Court of Appeal. She received her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and her law degree from Suffolk University. She is a long-time resident of Tampa and has been involved in the Hillsborough community through a variety of organizations for many years.
What a hypocrite. Deathsantis suspends SA for refusing to prosecute “illegal” abortions under Florida’s new law. Gotta follow the law right? Look at another article “FDOE tells school districts that federal guidance on transgender access to bathrooms can be disregarded.” Ignore federal laws that do not agree with Deathsantis’s fascist conservative agenda. Effing hypocrite.
Law vs. guidance. Read what Diaz wrote.
Absolutely correct Jennifer. Also I don’t see abortions mentioned in the order, the SA was vowing not to enforce gendering altering surgeries.
from less biased news source:
““Today we are suspending state attorney Andrew Warren effective immediately,” DeSantis declared.
Warren was one of 83 prosecutors nationwide who in the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade signed a letter promising not to prosecute those who perform, abet, or seek abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.”
It’s obviously up someone else’s.
Just think, if someone would have followed your lead and put their head up someone’s arse instead of their organ somewhere else, they may not have needed an abortion.
Kevin don’t see abortions mentioned? Read the linked order. There are 17 paragraphs plus a letter mentioning abortion.
Effing knucklehead. Transgender use of a bathroom is not protected by federal law. Thanks for playing though.
I for one totally agree with our governor we don’t need florida like these other states where a man can walk into a restroom with my daughter while pretending to be a woman today
Awesome DeSantis!
Isn’t there something in Fla law giving the state attorney “prosecutional discretion”?
I know I’ve seen it cited any number of times over many years.
He needs to look at the State Attorney here. He picks and chooses what crimes to prosecute and if he can’t he plays lers make a deal like a sh– salesman with a mouth full of samples.
Governor DeSantis thank you for standing for the Rule of Law and not turning a blind eye to the abuse of Constitutional, and State Law in some of the State Attorney Offices. You are an asset in the preservation of our United States of America. Again, Thank You, and stay your course.