DeSantis Must Testify In Andrew Warren's Lawsuit Following Suspension

TAMPA, FL — Following oral arguments on Monday in the case of Andrew Warren v. Ron DeSantis, federal court Judge Robert Hinkle indicated he is setting the case for a rapid trial and fully expects to see the governor testify in court.

“Today is an important day in an important fight for democracy — our democracy,” said Warren, who attended the hearing in federal court. “I’ve spent my career walking into court as a prosecutor, fighting for victims. Today, I went in as a plaintiff, fighting for democracy itself.”

Warren, a Democrat, maintains that the Republican governor illegally suspended the twice-elected state attorney for Hillsborough County on Aug. 4. Warren filed suit to challenge the suspension on Aug. 17.

DeSantis said in his executive order of suspension that Warren's suspension was "due to neglect of duty, incompetence and willful defiance of his duties as early as June 2021 when he signed a joint statement with other elected prosecutors in support of gender-transition treatments for children and bathroom usage based on gender identity."

DeSantis also took Warren to task for signing a pledge not to prosecute doctors and women involved in abortions that violate the state’s 15-week ban, a ban that DeSantis championed and the 2022 Legislature passed.

See related stories:

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• Florida Senate Halts Effort To Oust Hillsborough State Attorney
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• 183 Legal Scholars File Briefs Opposing Suspension Of State Attorney

He called today's ruling by Hinkle a "victory for the truth.

"Governor DeSantis has to come into court to explain the reasons he suspended me, to show that it wasn't political, and to show that it wasn't in violation of my First Amendment rights, and the right of the voters of Hillsborough County to have the state attorney of their choice," Warren said.

“We look forward to a trial on the merits," Warren said. "As the judge said, we look forward to the governor having the opportunity to come into court—where facts and truth matter—and try to justify what he did.”

There has been no response from DeSantis' office.

Warren’s legal team has asked for an Oct. 24 trial date. The trial will focus on whether DeSantis violated Warren’s First Amendment right to free speech in suspending Warren.