Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ousts Democratic Tampa prosecutor for balking at abortion restrictions

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday suspended an elected Democratic Tampa prosecutor for declaring he won’t enforce strict anti-abortion laws or potential future rules prohibiting surgery for transgender kids.

The conservative potential White House wannabe accused Hillsborough County State’s Attorney Andrew Warren of “(putting) himself publicly above the law” by signing letters saying he would not enforce those laws.

“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.

Warren did not immediately respond to the unusual move.

DeSantis made it clear that he is sees the suspension as a salvo in the national battle over so-called “woke” prosecutors, some of whom are resisting strict anti-abortion laws enacted after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

DeSantis supports Florida’s new law that bans almost all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. He suggested that he may push for new laws barring surgery on transgender minors that other GOP-run states have enacted.

A large majority of Americans want to keep abortion mostly legal, polls show. Kansas voters resoundingly rejected an effort to strip a woman’s right to choose from the state constitution, a result that will encourage Democrats to put the issue front and center in the midterms and beyond.

The governor was flanked by Tampa-area sheriffs who endorsed his attacks on Warren, which they framed as a law-and-order crackdown on crime.

Singing the praises of DeSantis, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said “we are so lucky to have you” even as he claimed to have no political motivations for appearing at the press conference.

DeSantis’s spokeswoman accused Warren of “(treating) criminals with deference.”

“This dereliction of duty is why crime is surging,” asserted Christina Pushaw, the spokeswoman.

Warren, a two-term Democrat, won reelection in 2020 by a 53%-43% margin. He says prosecutors should prioritize crimes that have victims, not efforts to block women from choosing abortion or doctors who treat them.

DeSantis claimed Warren was guilty of “incompetence” and “neglect of duty,” although the Florida constitutional provisions he cited appear to deal with officials’ ability to carry out their jobs, not political or legal disputes.

DeSantis is running for reelection this year and is considered a potential Republican 2024 presidential front runner.

[ DeSantis snubs Trump endorsement in possible message about 2024 ]

He portrays himself as a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. But Trump says he would destroy DeSantis if they both run for the GOP nod.