Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday suspended the top prosecutor in Orlando, saying her soft-on-crime policies endangered the community.
DeSantis, who is running a distant second behind former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, signed an executive order firing State Attorney Monique Worrell less than a week after a gunman with an extensive criminal history shot two Orlando police officers during a traffic stop. Worrell served in the 9th Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties.
According to Worrell’s office, the shooter’s rap sheet included charges of sexual battery and molestation, aggravated assault and battery. He also had three pending arrest warrants—one in Georgia, and two in Florida, where he was wanted for a fatal shooting in Miami.
“It is my duty as Governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected Legislature are followed,” DeSantis said during a news conference in Tallahassee announcing the suspension.
“The practices and policies of her office have allowed murderers, other violent offenders, and dangerous drug traffickers to receive extremely reduced sentences and escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct,” DeSantis said.
DOCUMENTS: Gov. Ron DeSantis' office lists rationale for suspending Soros-backed Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell
"The practices and policies of her office have allowed murderers, other violent offenders, and dangerous drug traffickers to receive extremely reduced… pic.twitter.com/keJzzp4AGo
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) August 9, 2023
“The people of Central Florida deserve to have a State Attorney who will seek justice in accordance with the law instead of allowing violent criminals to roam the streets and find new victims,” DeSantis said.
The governor appointed Andrew Bain, an Orange County judge who previously served as assistant state attorney in Orlando, to replace Worrell. DeSantis said he had trust in Bain to “faithfully enforce the law and keep the communities of Central Florida safe.”
#BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell, effective immediately, citing lack of mandatory minimum sentencings for various crimes, neglect of duty, and abusing discretion pic.twitter.com/O0Pe1UbTVH
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) August 9, 2023
Worrell was elected in 2020 in a campaign that was funded by left-wing billionaire George Soros, who has poured tens of millions into the campaigns of liberal prosecutors throughout the country.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a former governor of Florida, said he supported DeSantis‘ decision to fire Ms. Worrell.
“This is the right move,” Mr. Scott posted on the social media site X. “Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies are eroding our communities and families’ ability to feel safe. In February, I called on SA Monique Worrell to deliver the justice and accountability needed for the families affected by shootings in her district and said her suspension would be fully justified. She failed to do her job. Families deserve better.”
This is the second Soros-funded state attorney DeSantis has removed from office in the past twelve months. Last August he suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren for violating his oath of office, and making himself “above the law.” DeSantis said the Tampa area state attorney had “a very very troubling record” that displayed a lack of competence.
DeSantis said at the time that Warren had been basically elevating his own “personal sense of social justice over what the law requires” of him.
In June of 2023, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Warren’s lawsuit challenging his ouster, ruling that the Democrat had waited too long to bring the case.