The Florida state attorney suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Wednesday was defiant in her response, saying his move was purely political and represents a “loss of democracy.”
“If we are mourning anything this morning, it is the loss of democracy,” Monique Worrell said Wednesday. “I am your duly elected state attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit, and nothing done by a weak dictator can change that.”
“This is simply a smokescreen for Ron DeSantis’ failing and disastrous presidential campaign,” she added.
Worrell was elected to the 9th Judicial Circuit — which includes Orlando — in 2020. A career judicial reform advocate and former law professor, she ran on a platform of ending cash bail and increasing police accountability.
“This is an outrage. Three years ago I was elected by the people of the 9th Judicial Circuit to lead this circuit, and yes, to do things unconventionally, to do things differently,” she said. “I did exactly what I said I was going to do and that is what you want from an elected official.”
DeSantis suspended Worrell over “neglect of duty and incompetence,” he announced Wednesday morning, saying she was too lenient and declined to charge for some crimes.
“Prosecutors have a duty to faithfully enforce the law,” DeSantis said. “One’s political agenda cannot trump this solemn duty. Refusing to faithfully enforce the laws of Florida puts our communities in danger and victimizes innocent Floridians.”
Worrell argued that DeSantis’ suspension — the second time he has suspended a state attorney — was improper and did not follow procedure. Usually, suspension is reserved for the most extreme circumstances, including a state attorney being charged with a crime or not being able to work.
“But under this tyranny, elected officials can be removed simply for political purposes and by a whim of the Governor,” she said. “No matter how you feel about me, you should not be okay with that.”
DeSantis suspended state attorney Andrew Warren last August after he said he would not enforce the state’s bans on abortion and transgender surgeries.
Warren, whose judicial circuit included Tampa, plans to run for reelection in 2024 after a court tossed out his attempt to challenge the suspension.
He said DeSantis was acting like a “bully” in suspending Worrell.
“Another illegal and unconstitutional attack on democracy by a small, scared man who is desperate to save his political career. He wants to be a bully, but he’s actually a coward who has repeatedly violated the rule of law and the will of the voters to cover up his own weakness,” Warren said on X, formerly called Twitter.
DeSantis’s move has also outraged Florida Democrats, including first-term Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), who represents Worrell’s circuit in Congress, harshly denounced DeSantis.
“WE WILL NOT stand for this blatant abuse of power and fascism in our state. It’s a sad day in Orange County & Florida,” Frost said on X.
“Over 60% of voters in Orange/Osceola County voted Monique Worrell for State Attorney, then Gov DeSantis removes her from office. Fascist Gov DeSantis hates Democracy,” he added.
The suspension will also have a significant impact on Worrell’s family, she said. Unlike law enforcement officers, suspended state attorneys do not get paid or receive benefits while on suspension.
“My husband and I work to support our three children. A substantial portion of that support has now been stripped away as a result of political gamesmanship,” Worrell said. “This should not happen in a democracy.”