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.
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.
Ron’s extremist administration has consistently targeted the rights and freedoms of Black and brown Floridians, and the suspension of State Attorney Worrell — the only Black woman state attorney in Florida — is clearly racially and politically motivated.https://t.co/uUQ2SZl6is
— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) August 9, 2023
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.
DeSantis’ timing in making this decision is also questionable. The suspension came hot on the heels of a tragic incident involving two Orlando police officers who were shot during a routine traffic stop. While DeSantis connects this event to his decision, it remains unclear whether such an extraordinary action was truly necessary and proportional in response to this isolated incident.
My official statement on the suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell. pic.twitter.com/bGqRTZdSyN
— Representative Rita Harris (@RitaForFlorida) August 9, 2023
