Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends 'Soros-backed' state attorney who refused to enforce abortion ban

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Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended liberal State Attorney Andrew Warren on Thursday.

DeSantis made the announcement during a press conference broadcast on social media. DeSantis argued that Warren has repeatedly refused to enforce laws passed by the legislature cracking down on child sex change surgeries and abortion restrictions.

"We are suspending Soros-backed 13th circuit state attorney Andrew Warren for neglecting his duties as he pledges not to uphold the laws of the state," DeSantis' office said in a statement. The 13th circuit falls over Florida's Hillsborough County.

"The constitution of Florida has vested the veto power in the governor, not in state attorneys," DeSantis said. "We are not going to allow this pathogen of ignoring the law get a foothold in the state of Florida."

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Officials said Warren has repeatedly tried to install himself as an adjudicator of what laws will and will not be enforced.

DeSantis' office had teased the move on Wednesday, saying the announcement would not be political or related to endorsements.

"This isn't about abortion or any one thing, it's about having accountability to our system of law and order to prosecute crime. There has been a pattern developing in Hillsborough County where one person picks and chooses which laws he wishes to enforce," his office stated.

Warren responded in a statement Thursday afternoon.

"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," Warren said. 

"In our community, crime is low, our Constitutional rights—including the right to privacy—are being upheld, and the people have the right to elect their own leaders—not have them dictated by an aspiring presidential candidate who has shown time and again he feels accountable to no one," he added.

"Just because the governor violates your rights, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist."

This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.