Gov. Ron DeSantis took a sweeping and controversial step on Wednesday by wielding his power to suspend State Attorney Monique Worrell. The move, touted as a crackdown on crime, raises questions about the extent of DeSantis’ influence over law enforcement and judicial matters.
It’s my duty to protect the people of Florida.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 9, 2023
We will not tolerate a State Attorney who pursues an agenda at the expense of Floridians. Florida is a law-and-order state. As long as I’m Governor, it will stay that way. pic.twitter.com/lsguX9M3Sd
Worrell, who was democratically elected in November 2020 to serve as the state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Florida’s Orange and Osceola counties, has been abruptly removed from her position. DeSantis justified his decision by accusing Worrell of “neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction,” a claim that demands closer scrutiny.
While DeSantis claims to champion justice, his assertions about Worrell’s practices and policies warrant deeper exploration. The governor alleges that her leniency towards violent criminals has jeopardized the safety of innocent civilians. However, a closer examination of these allegations is essential to determine whether they are based on objective data or political posturing.
