Monique Worrell (left), Ron DeSantis.Photo:Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty; SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty
Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty; SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty
Ron DeSantissuspended another democratically elected Florida state attorney on Tuesday in an extreme move that critics are calling politically motivated.
Monique Worrell was Florida’s only Black female state attorney until DeSantis announced her suspension for what he claimed was “neglect of duty.”
DeSantis, who is currently running for president in 2024, criticized Worrell for being too lenient on criminals. He has specifically called out her failure to charge a teenager accused of shooting and killing a 9-year-old girl and two others in a gang-related incident in 2022.
Worrell has said thatwitnesses in the case gave disjointed testimonyand could not identify the suspect in a photo lineup, noting that the gunman was wearing a mask at the time of the incident.
Critics have slammed the suspension as political, noting that Worrell served the liberal-leaning areas of Orange and Osceola counties and was elected to her role with 67% of the vote. Florida Democratic Party chairwomanNikki Friedcalled the suspension “a political hit job.”
Worrell is the second Democratic state attorney to be suspended under DeSantis, who last year also suspended Tampa’s elected prosecutor, Andrew Warren.
DeSantis' decision to remove Worrell comes as his 2024 presidential campaign faces numerous challenges, including low poll numbers, reports of wealthy donorspausing their contributions,and anoverhaul of campaign staff.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a presidential campaign event in South Carolina on July 17, 2023.AP Photo/Meg Kinnard
AP Photo/Meg Kinnard
“Prosecutors have a duty to faithfully enforce the law," DeSantis said in a press conference Tuesday morning. “One’s political agenda cannot trump this solemn duty.”
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When Disney went public with its criticism of the measure, DeSantis asked state lawmakers to consider ending a deal between the company and Florida that, since 1967, has given it special privileges.
source: people.com
