Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Suspends Top Prosecutor in Orlando, Sparks Controversy
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has once again exercised his executive power over local government by suspending the top prosecutor in Orlando, sparking controversy and fueling the contentious issue in the 2024 presidential race.
This marks the second time DeSantis, a Republican, has removed a Democratic state attorney. The suspension follows an investigation that stemmed from the fatal shooting of a television reporter and a 9-year-old girl, with a teenager being charged in the case.
During a news conference held in Tallahassee, DeSantis stated, “It is my duty as Governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected Legislature are followed.” He announced the suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which serves Orange and Osceola counties.
Worrell, however, vowed to seek reelection next year and dismissed her removal as political rather than based on her performance. She also accused DeSantis of timing the suspension to distract from his stagnant presidential campaign that has faced layoffs and changes at the top, struggling to regain traction.
“He needed to get back in the media in some positive way that would be red meat for his base, and he will have accomplished that today,” Worrell said. “He replaced his campaign manager yesterday, and I guess today it’s my turn.”
The investigation of Worrell began after 19-year-old Keith Moses was charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of reporter Dylan Lyons, Nathacha Augustin, and 9-year-old T’yonna Major. The shooting also injured the girl’s mother and a Spectrum News 13 photographer, Jesse Walden.
DeSantis’ general counsel had previously sent a letter to Worrell accusing her of failing to hold Moses accountable due to his criminal record and gang affiliation. The governor’s office sought Moses’ usually protected juvenile records.
In his announcement, DeSantis cited other cases and accused Worrell of avoiding minimum mandatory sentences on charges including gun crimes, drug trafficking, and child pornography. He also claimed that the state attorney’s office had a pattern of allowing juveniles to evade serious charges or incarceration. DeSantis referenced a recent shooting incident involving two Orlando police officers, carried out by a 28-year-old man with a long criminal history.
Meanwhile, Democrats argue that Worrell’s suspension was politically motivated, highlighting the fact that she is the only Black woman in Florida elected to serve as a state attorney.
“This is absolutely disgusting,” said Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani. “Her removal is a complete slap in the face to Orange and Osceola County residents and another example of Governor DeSantis eroding our local control and democracy. This politically motivated action by the Governor in a predominantly Democratic part of the state should alarm everyone.”
Last year, DeSantis also removed State Attorney Andrew Warren, a twice-elected Democrat in Tampa. His removal was tied to Warren signing pledges not to pursue criminal charges against seekers or providers of abortion or gender transition treatments, as well as refraining from bringing charges for certain low-level crimes.
Moreover, DeSantis is not the only Republican challenging decisions made by Democratic prosecutors across the United States.
To replace Worrell, the governor appointed Andrew Bain, an Orange County judge who previously served as assistant state attorney in Orlando. Bain, a Republican, emphasized the importance of prosecuting crimes and holding individuals accountable.
Worrell chose not to criticize Bain, stating that the issue lies with DeSantis. “Elected officials are being taken out of office for political purposes, and that should never be a thing,” she said.
In response to the suspension, members of the Congressional Black Caucus released a statement, highlighting that Worrell was elected with nearly two-thirds of the vote in her district. They declared, “Make no mistake, State Attorney Worrell has done nothing wrong. This abuse of power by Gov. DeSantis is not only an attack on Democratic Black leaders in Florida but an attack on our democracy itself.”
The suspension of the top prosecutor in Orlando has stirred controversy and added fuel to an already contentious issue in the 2024 presidential race. The repercussions of this decision are likely to reverberate across the political landscape.