State Attorney for Hillsborough County, FL (Tampa). Criminal justice reformer, husband, father, former federal prosecutor, native Floridian, proud American.
I'm running for re-election! I'll never stop fighting for our safety, our freedom, and our democracy. Join us in this fight to build a safer, stronger community. Donate at
A federal judge ruled DeSantis broke federal & state law by suspending me because my vision as State Attorney didn’t fit w/ his political agenda. Judge said his court lacks authority to reinstate me but called on Gov to do so.
Let’s see what kind of man DeSantis actually is.
I'd like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support. I'm truly humbled. Your encouragement has only strengthened my commitment to doing what the voters elected me to do and to fight Ron DeSantis' extreme abuse of power. Together, we will win this fight!
When Ron DeSantis abused his authority to suspend me, I was in the middle of charging 2 extremely important cases... on a day of extreme personal significance. Hear my story and the threat to democracy we all face. And join our fight to protect your vote and defend democracy.
Today’s political stunt is an illegal overreach that continues a dangerous pattern by Ron DeSantis of using his office to further his own political ambition. It spits in the face of the voters of Hillsborough County who have twice elected me to serve *them*, not Ron DeSantis...
We just filed suit against DeSantis in FL Supreme Court. Now that a federal judge found he broke both FL & US law by suspending me, we’re asking the states’s highest court to make him follow the law & reinstate me.
This is simple: no one is above the law—not even the Governor.
Recent report that DeSantis steered pension funds to Wall Street money managers who donated to his campaign. If accurate, this is *huge.* Would mean he's ripping off state employees—cops, teachers, etc. Also potentially criminal. More investigation needed.
Ron DeSantis' abuse of power cannot stand. We are going to fight back, and fight back hard. I'll be speaking out live NEXT on the
@katiephangshow
on
@MSNBC
.
In Florida, our government is telling us:
Everyone carrying guns makes us safer.
Vaccines make us sick.
Voting restrictions promote democracy.
Banning books improves education.
Taking away our rights keeps us free.
We are living in 1984. Welcome to Fl-ORWELL-ida.
#Florwellida
“The governor’s trying to overthrow the results of a fair and free election… I’m the twice duly-elected State Attorney for Hillsborough County, and the governor signing something with a pen or a crayon doesn’t change that.”
No governor of any state should be allowed to overturn election results.
If our government officials have the ability to reverse the will of the voters, then we must ask ourselves: what’s left of democracy?
Filed appeal of decision not to reinstate me. We’ve proven that DeSantis broke the law, and I'll keep fighting to be back doing the work I was elected to do. The Governor getting away with violating federal & state law should offend all who believe in freedom & the rule of law.
It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, Democrat, or neither - everyone should be outraged by Ron DeSantis' abuse of power. I'll be speaking out live NEXT on
@CNN
at 3:25pm, please join me in this fight!
It’s hearing day and I’m here in Tallahassee about to head into the courthouse. Today is about more than just me and Ron DeSantis--it's about preserving the very foundations of our democracy.
At this time last weekend, I was prepping for my court hearing on Monday. ICYMI, my legal team has asked for a trial date exactly 1 month from today on 10/24--where DeSantis and his associates will be deposed for up to seven uninterrupted hours.
Yesterday DeSantis again said he suspended me for not enforcing the law—a bogus claim which a federal court rejected as "false," "incorrect," and "not close" to accurate.
Stop lying. Tell the truth: you suspended me as a political stunt, for publicity, b/c I'm a Democrat...
Your election crimes unit should probably look into the guy who threw out 370,000 votes in Hillsborough County by overturning an election and suspending the people’s choice for State Attorney…
In 2020, FL ran one of the most secure & transparent elections in the US, but we have more work to do. That's why I established an election crimes unit.
@fdlepio
has charged 20 murderers & sex offenders who weren't eligible to vote w/ election fraud. They face 5 yrs in prison.
“I didn’t ask to be the tip of the spear in this fight for freedom and democracy. But the governor picked a fight with me, so I’m fighting on behalf of everyone who cares about these issues.”
I look forward to seeing every email, every text, every ounce of documentation related to my suspension . For the first time, Ron DeSantis will have to answer for his actions, not at a campaign rally, not on Fox News, but under oath in the court of law.
I've sent Gov. DeSantis this letter asking him to follow the law and rescind his illegal suspension of me, as a federal judge called on him to do.
This is the opportunity for the governor to do the right thing & show that his oath to uphold the law wasn’t just empty words.
A constituent told me she understands DeSantis broke the law by suspending me but can tolerate it because she thinks he's done a good job as Gov.
Her mindset is understandable, but condoning elected officials breaking the law and violating our rights is the path towards tyranny.
Together, we will fight Ron DeSantis' abuse of power and restore the will of the voters. I hope you'll join me.
To support our effort to defend democracy, go to
There’s no need for Florida to have its own military with police power. And if you don’t recognize there’s a *slight* chance it will be used like the Gestapo to police political enemies, you’ve been living under a rock.
So disturbing & unAmerican.
I got home late last night from the court hearing in Warren v DeSantis and went to kiss my 9 yr old goodnight. She woke up and still half-asleep said “Daddy, did you win? You deserve to.”
Indeed.
#WhatTrulyMatters
In our community, crime is low, our Constitutional rights—including the right to privacy—are being upheld & the people have the right to elect their own leaders—not have them dictated by an aspiring presidential candidate who has shown time & again he feels accountable to no one.
Ron DeSantis likes to brag about the so-called "free state of Florida," but it seems that it's only FREE for people who don't express different viewpoints from his. Who's he going after next?
I keep hearing boasts that Florida is where "woke goes to die" (whatever that means).
Wouldn't it be great if FL instead was where:
▪️poverty
▪️gun violence
▪️unaffordable health care
▪️environmental destruction
▪️ insurance crises
▪️prejudice & hate
▪️govt corruption
go to die?
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, and came out with some great news.
"A federal judge said the governor of Florida broke state and federal law, violating both the Florida Constitution — which he is sworn to uphold — and the First Amendment. This is not small stuff."
"DeSantis' removal of a political adversary this month and his replacement of him with an ally raises serious questions about the rule of law in Florida."
"The move by DeSantis to suspend Andrew Warren... should worry all supporters of democracy."
This is why I’m angry, why my supporters are angry, why all of us who believe in democracy are angry. Because DeSantis overthrew an election based on claims his own lawyer admitted under oath weren’t true but were meant to inflame his base.
And that’s why I’m still fighting.
How many times can you do something unconstitutional before you can no longer claim to support the Constitution?
Asking for a friend.
#DefendDemocracyNow
The head of FL Republican party can be accused of forcibly raping a woman (without protection) and keep his job, but the rape victim can be charged with a felony for having an abortion after 6 weeks, and the prosecutor who criticizes the law can be suspended.
Welcome to Florida.
Judge Hinkle has set November 29th as the trial date for my 1st Amendment case against Ron DeSantis, with the goal of determining whether the governor violated my free speech rights by suspending me for speaking out in support of abortion rights and transgender Floridians.
Thank you
@JoyAnnReid
for having me on
@thereidout
— and for your spot-on observation that DeSantis is playing for an audience in Iowa & for Fox News. He’ll add that he suspended me to a line in his stump speech and move on to his next unconstitutional act.
.
@AndrewWarrenFL
, State Attorney for Hillsborough County,
#Florida
on being suspended by DeSantis: "This is Orwellian thought police where I'm being punished for not enforcing a law that doesn't even exist yet."
WATCH MORE:
"He tolerates no dissent from those who would deviate from his orders. Too often, he seems intent on remaking the "free' state of Florida into a personal fiefdom for himself & his followers."
Federal appellate court ruled to expedite our case where the trial court found DeSantis violated both the FL & US Constitutions by suspending me for political reasons. We look forward to our next day in court to continue fighting for free speech, democracy, and the rule of law.
I’ve been asked why I spoke out in support of abortion and transgender rights. Why? Because honesty is important. Because it's what people deserve from their elected leaders. Because it was the right thing to do.
“Liberty is the soul's right to breathe.”
DeSantis wastes his breath talking up freedom while repeatedly taking it away from us--from businesses, teachers & all who disagree w/ him.
Here's another example.
Can someone send him a copy of the Constitution?
“The suspension is an attack on the law, as well as science, which Warren consistently follows. And we have the data to show it….He is vigorously prosecuting felony cases and the most impactful crimes that residents care about.”
No wonder Ziegler was such a cheerleader for my illegal suspension: he figured that state attorneys who aggressively prosecute sexual assault & corruption are a threat to his political career.
For a guy who pretends to champion family values, what a disgrace—to all Floridians.
Sounds like the locals are already distancing themselves from the Zieglers:
“The Republican Party of Sarasota County, where the Zieglers have been active for years, issued a statement saying the party is ‘shocked and disappointed’ by the reports about the Zieglers.”
Ron DeSantis claims to know a lot about the 2nd Amendment (although he often appears to skip over the "Militia" part right up front)–it’s clear he should’ve spent a little more time learning about the 1st. I look forward to seeing him in court tomorrow.
I'm having sticker shock at how much my homeowner's insurance has gone up.
I doubt help is coming from the millions of campaign $$ DeSantis has taken from Big Insurance, or that his war on woke poetry will bring down rates from 3x the national average.
It's a bad sign for democracy when we ban teaching the truth of our own history.
“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”
- George Orwell
When one elected executive can overturn the will of the voters arbitrarily simply because he disagrees with their policies, it’s time to question just what kind of democracy we have.
Who will be targeted next, and when will Floridians say enough is enough?
DeSantis is refusing to testify under oath about my suspension. His silence speaks volumes. If he won't step to the plate because he's worried about striking out, we're not going to wait or make him bat; we'll go to trial while he's sitting on the bench.
Officers I’ve talked with have been so supportive—saying my suspension is wrong, to keep fighting & they look forward to having me back. The other day I got choked up when one told my daughter, “Your dad’s a good man; he's done a great job.” Can't wait to be back working w/ them.
Please join me in supporting Safer Stronger Florida, a political committee that promotes public safety and criminal justice reform. Together, we can stop Ron DeSantis from trampling over the Constitution in his attempt to further his political career.
On the 50th anniversary of
#RoeVWade
, I proudly support a woman's right to choose.
Standing up for what I believe may have jeopardized my job, but it's a step I'm willing to take to protect the freedom, health & safety of my daughters and women all across America.
Another illegal and unconstitutional attack on democracy by a small, scared man who is desperate to save his political career. He wants to be a bully, but he’s actually a coward who has repeatedly violated the rule of law and the will of the voters to cover up his own weakness.
.
@GovRonDeSantis
officially suspends Monique Worrell, Orlando-area state attorney who he has focused on in past
One of the prosecutors that DeSantos focuses on most
He is suspending what he perceives as a progressive prosecutor at a time his presidential campaign struggles
To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt: No one is above the law, and we don’t need to ask permission to make someone obey it.
Democracy demands accountability. Period.
Today, we are fighting back! Join me LIVE on
@Morning_Joe
at 7:25am and then
@CNN
at 7:40am as we discuss our next steps against Ron DeSantis' abuse of power and unlawful suspension.
"Florida may be the place where “woke goes to die”...but it is also where teachers’ salaries are among the lowest in the nation, unemployment benefits are stingier than in any other state, and wage theft flourishes..."
“The governor is the best source of information on why the governor suspended Mr. Warren... The governor has talked about it at length on TV. We continue to think it is appropriate for the governor to talk about it under oath.”
RT if you agree.
Says the Governor who sent armed deputies to remove a duly elected prosecutor in a shameless political stunt that a federal court concluded broke federal & state law.
“Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.” (That means you know you’re guilty of what you criticize.)
The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society.
We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation.
Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?
The DeSantis…
Today we're filing our reply brief to continue fighting DeSantis' abuse of power.
We're fighting for the people--to make sure elections still matter.
We didn't pick this fight but are proud to be on the side of democracy & the rule of law.
10 days until court hearing. Stay tuned.
Every single person in Florida should be choosing their words very carefully. Ron DeSantis first attacked businesses, then teachers, and now public servants. Who's Next? I'll be speaking with
@JoeNBC
live NEXT on
@Morning_Joe
at 9:40am, please join me in this fight!
DeSantis says if president he'll "lean in on" local prosecutors—violating principles of both federalism (fed govt has zero legal authority over state/local prosecutors) and an independent justice system. For a Harvard law grad, he sure doesn't know much about the Constitution.
Desantis issues a pathetic, ridiculous statement in response to the Trump indictment, bragging that he suspended two DAs in FL, and “as president, we will lean in on some of these local prosecutors.”
Insightful piece by
@mjs_DC
@slate
on the importance of our win fighting the governor's assault on democracy.
"DeSantis got smoked at the court, which effectively accused him of abusing his office to punish Warren on the basis of protected speech."
DeSantis says charging Trump w/ fraud is wrong & politically weaponizing the DA's office. So says the guy who broke federal & state law by suspending me for a partisan publicity stunt, including not enforcing an anti-trans law that doesn't even exist—what he calls "real crimes."
This is what we’ve been fighting for from the beginning—the protection of democracy. We look forward to returning to the district court for the relief that has been denied to me and all the voters of Hillsborough County for 17 months: reinstating the person elected by the voters.
Today is Ron DeSantis’ birthday. Even though he and I are in a legal battle for the future of our democracy, I want to take a moment to wish him a happy birthday. I even got him a present. Happy birthday Ron!
From former FL Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Wells, “The (Florida) Constitution provided specific grounds for the suspension of a state attorney. I didn’t read that there were any of those grounds involved in what the governor asserted.”
Reminder: DeSantis has no problems breaking state & federal law to attack his enemies and advance his political career.
Bragging about something that a federal judge found to be false & illegal is as shameful as it is stupid.
Now that DeSantis's childish fight with
@Disney
has cost Floridians $1 billion & 2,000 jobs, he should take all the money he's raised to run for President and invest it in Florida to repay our citizens. Hurting our economy to score political points is so DeStupid.
Your blatant hypocrisy is a direct assault on the rule of law. You falsely accuse others of not upholding the law. You were found to have broken the law. And now to kowtow politically you refuse to follow the law. This is how democracy dies—with words & deeds like yours.
The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.
It is un-American.
The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is…
Florida government officials on taxpayer salaries are raising money for DeSantis campaign from companies doing business with his administration. This is corruption—plain & simple. But what else should we expect from a Governor who flaunts the rule of law?
From members of the Commission who approved the Constitutional section at issue:
“the governor’s suspension is unconstitutional…We know what that section means and it does not give DeSantis the authority to do what he did.”
“…an egregious violation of the will of the voters.”
Now that Americans have soundly rejected DeSantis' political stunts and radical ideas, l hope he tries three new things as governor: helping Floridians, protecting democracy, and upholding the rule of law.
We look forward to a trial on the merits. And, as the judge said, we especially look forward to the governor having to come into court--where facts and truth matter--and try to justify what he did.
Interesting that the two sheriffs from other counties who joined DeSantis’ political circus announcing my suspension have higher crime rates than Hillsborough County does.
Almost makes you think this isn't about the safety of our communities.
Fed appeals court slaps down DeSantis—again—saying penalizing speech he disagrees with is "the greatest First Amendment sin." Latest example of Gov violating the US Constitution.
To ~quote
@MorganWallen
:
"He didn't write it but he probably oughta read it."
FL's draconian 6-week abortion ban goes into effect in 30 days.
Speaking out against abortion bans led to my illegal suspension, but I won't stop speaking out, and I won't stop fighting to preserve our freedoms and protect the health & safety of our sisters & daughters.
#Yeson4
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who reached out the past few days. I’m grateful for the support and am proud to fight for all who believe in the rule of law.
Team DeSantis is mad, saying Disney illegally stripped them of their legitimate authority & subverted democracy.
Imagine how wrong it would be if Disney refuses to rescind the order after a federal court rules it was unconstitutional. Asking for a friend.
"We are experiencing a legal revolution in Florida in which constitutional values that have been taken for granted are being trashed. These changes could last for years. I don’t think we are prepared for what’s coming."
"That nullifies an election, thwarts the will of the people and allows DeSantis to substitute his judgment for that of the people. If that’s not chilling, we don’t know what is."
After 5 hectic days fighting to restore democracy in FL against DeSantis abuse of power, I just had a few mins with my younger daughter. She asked about life on other planets & traveling to space.
Amazing to have an 8 yr old remind you what matters & why we must defend democracy.
Freedom is oxygen for our soul.
DeSantis talks a big game but keeps violating Floridians' freedoms: abortion, speech, assembly, voting, elections...
Here’s another example: violating freedoms of teachers & businesses.
Fla sure doesn't feel very free.
"“The record includes not a hint of misconduct by Mr. Warren,” [Judge] Hinkle wrote."
"When the legal smoke clears, we are left with this deeply disturbing thought: The governor removed a duly elected official from office largely because he didn’t like the prosecutor’s politics."
Tallahassee pols are pushing permitless carry—a radical idea eliminating all licenses & training to carry a concealed gun. This threatens public safety, makes officers' jobs more dangerous, & makes it harder to catch criminals who have guns.
Let's not turn Fla into the Wild West.
"For standing up to the bullying and demanding that voters, not DeSantis, pick their county prosecutor, we can say well done, Mr. Warren."
Thank you
@JRubinBlogger
for the high praise. I'm proud to defend our democracy.
I spent my career at the U.S. Department of Justice putting crooks like
@ScottforFlorida
behind bars. If we had crossed paths while he was CEO of a company convicted of 14 felonies and fined $1.7Bn, he'd be talking about slashing social security in the cafeteria at FCI Coleman.
Shameful to waste $16 million of taxpayer money to defend unconstitutional laws, discriminatory policies, and culture war divisiveness. Remember when politicians who claim to be conservative actually practiced fiscal responsibility?
"Democracy doesn't work if elected officials can yank other elected officials from office whenever one disagrees with the other’s views."
#DefendDemocracyNow
DeSantis is "campaigning on a legal theory fit for a king." His view of executive branch supremacy allows for absolute power, defying our constitutional framework for a limited govt defined by checks & balances. This approach is perfect for Cuba, not USA.
Another law championed by DeSantis thrown out as unconstitutional. A federal judge ruled the law restricting voter registration is "Florida’s latest assault on the right to vote" and "threatens to reduce individual rights to ashes." Harsh but accurate.
In depth piece by
@pemalevy
at
@MotherJones
about how DeSantis has used the authoritarian playbook to amass power in FL.
This is not politics as usual. These are threats to democracy & the rule of law that should alarm true patriots regardless of party.
Ron DeSantis has violated the most sacred law of our democracy—that your vote matters.
Today are Florida’s primary elections. Go vote. Make your voice heard.
We’ll be fighting to make sure your vote counts.
Join the fight at
The attack on the Pelosi household is extremely scary—not just for those of us who serve as elected officials but for all of us who want to live in a country where we settle our political differences with words & ideas, not violence.
DeSantis signed permitless carry bill into law.
Facts:
▪️Makes our families less safe (studies show these laws increase violent crime & suicide)
▪️Makes cops' jobs harder
▪️Makes it easier for criminals to have guns
▪️Has nothing to do w/ 2nd Am
▪️Has everything to do w/ NRA
“DeSantis cannot justify retaliating against Warren for Warren’s speech because Warren is not his employee...
(DeSantis) demonstrates that he misunderstands not only the office to which he was elected but also the office to which Warren was twice elected."
Welcome to the free state of Florida: free to be ignorant, free to be hateful, free to trample on the rights of the millions of parents who want their children educated in schools that learn
@TheAmandaGorman
poetry, not censor it.
These are the pages of my inaugural poem that an objecting parent cited as "not educational and have indirectly hate messages". And now because of that one complaint, my poem is now banned for elementary school students at a school in
@MiamiDadeCounty
.
DeSantis' "declaration of not enforcing the [law] governing extraditions when he hasn’t even seen the charging document is its own indictment of the governor...
What is far more consequential than his political preening is his casual and open hypocrisy."