A Florida prosecutor was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis last Thursday after he promised to not enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban and expressed his support for gender transition treatments for minors.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren said in a video posted to social media on Sunday that he will fight the suspension, adding that "DeSantis is trying to take away my job, for doing my job."
"We've all seen the consequences of politicians who think they are above the law and can do whatever they want, that's why DeSantis and his abuse of power must be stopped," Warren said.
"Let me be clear, I'm not going down without a fight. I'm a formal federal prosecutor, the duly-elected state attorney, a native Floridian, and a proud American. I refuse to let this man trample on your freedoms, to speak your mind, to make your own health care decisions, and to have your vote count. I hope you'll stand with me."
DeSantis announced the suspension on Thursday due to Warren's "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," DeSantis said in a statement. "It is my duty to hold Florida’s elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida."
Warren added in the video that he won't let DeSantis get away with suspending him without fighting back.
"He came down to Tampa to illegally remove me as part of some political circus. We won't let him get away with it... Ron DeSantis doesn't get to hand-pick Florida's state attorneys. You, the people do."
Warren said in an additional tweet that the support he's received has reinforced his commitment to fight against "DeSantis' extreme abuse of power."
"I'd like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support. I'm truly humbled," Warren tweeted. "Your encouragement has only strengthened my commitment to doing what the voters elected me to do and to fight Ron DeSantis' extreme abuse of power. Together, we will win this fight!"
Warren issued a statement on Aug. 4 after DeSantis announced the suspension, and said "it spits in the face of the voters."
"Today’s political stunt is an illegal overreach that continues a dangerous pattern by Ron DeSantis of using his office to further his own political ambition," Warren said in a statement. It spits in the face of the voters of Hillsborough County who have twice elected me to serve *them*, not Ron DeSantis."
"Just because the governor violates your rights, it doesn't mean they don't exist."
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