TAMPA, Fla. — Suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren fired back at Governor Ron DeSantis Thursday afternoon, simply hours after DeSantis introduced his suspension.
Earlier Thursday, Governor DeSantis mentioned Warren was being suspended after his workers compiled data and concluded that Warren “put himself publicly above the law.”
After talking a couple of chilly case in Hillsborough County, Warren took questions from the press in regards to the governor’s transfer.
Andrew Warren addresses suspension as state legal professional | Press Conference
“If the governor thinks he can do a better job, then he should run for state attorney, not president,” Warren mentioned about DeSantis’ transfer to droop him.
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Warren, who has been elected twice because the state legal professional in Hillsborough County, mentioned DeSantis’ suspension did not impression him doing his job Thursday.
“I haven’t even looked at the order yet because I woke up to do my job today, and that’s exactly what I did,” Warren mentioned.
As for the order, which may be learn right here, Warren mentioned whereas he hasn’t learn it, he heard it “contains a lot of conjecture and lies.”
“Just based on the governor’s track record with unconstitutional orders; I have a feeling that this is going to be just as unconstitutional as the 15-week abortion ban, the anti-protest law, and a dozen other things the governor has signed,” Warren mentioned.
WATCH: Governor DeSantis’ press convention asserting Warren’s suspension
Gov. DeSantis suspends State Attorney Andrew Warren | Press Conference
Shortly after Warren spoke, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist delivered a rebuke of DeSantis’ actions from the identical location.
“Andrew is a smart lawyer, and he is of pure heart, and he does a great job,” Rep. Crist mentioned. “He was maliciously attacked and sabotaged in his own office.”
Crist later mentioned, “Tampa Bay deserves better, and I know Andrew Warren deserves better than he got.”
Dozens additionally gathered exterior the Hillsborough County courthouse on Thursday to indicate assist for Warren.
“I was shocked. I mean this is a state attorney that we had elected not once, but twice here in Hillsborough County,” mentioned Bernice Lauredan, Director of Voter Engagement with Dream Defenders.