DeSantis sued by Florida prosecutor he removed over abortion

Florida prosecutor Andrew Warren filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis for removing him from office due to his positions on abortion and transgender rights.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — An elected Florida prosecutor who was removed from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis because of his positions on abortion and transgender rights filed suit Wednesday to get his job back, saying the Republican leader violated his First Amendment rights.

DeSantis said he suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren this month for signing a national pledge to not prosecute women and doctors for violating state abortion laws or families seeking treatments for transgender minors.

“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 asked at a news conference in Tallahassee.

Suspended Florida State Attorney Andrew Warren speaks Wednesday in Tampa, Fla.Octavio Jones / Getty ImagesThe 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.

DeSantis, criticized by Democrats for signing abortion restrictions and bills seen as anti-LGBTQ into law, held a campaign-like event to announce Warren’s suspension where supporters cheered the decision. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday morning.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/desantis-sued-florida-prosecutor-removed-abortion-rcna43701

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