Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, surrounded by members of law enforcement, gestures as he speaks during a news conference Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. DeSantis announced that he was suspending State Attorney Andrew Warren, of the 13th Judicial Circuit, due to "neglect of duty." Looking on at right is Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Advertisement
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ignited a firestorm after suspending state attorney Monique Worrell of Orlando, citing her leniency on crime. Replacing her is Andrew Bain, another Black official, but notably a member of The Federalist Society, often criticized for its racially contentious history.
DeSantis’ decision is wrapped in controversy, especially given Worrell’s status as a progressive, reform-driven African American woman. She was elected in 2020.
Although the governor claims the suspension is due to her alleged lax approach to serious offenders, many question whether racial and political biases are at play. DeSantis exercised the suspension by executive order.
Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey, walk in the July 4th parade, Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Merrimack, N.H. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha)Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event, Monday, July 31, 2023, in Rochester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)Santaluces High School teacher Michael Woods stands in front of his school sign in Lantana, Fla., wearing his protest shirt “We Are All Human” in opposition to recent book bans by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 24, 2023. DeSantis is touting a series of measures he has pushed that have led to an upswing in banned or restricted books — not just in Florida schools but in an increasing number of other conservative states. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference to sign several bills related to public education and increases in teacher pay, in Miami, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with reporters after speaking at a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)FILE – People visit Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday, April 22, 2022. Florida lawmakers are meeting to complete a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program. The GOP-controlled Legislature is returning to Tallahassee on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 for a special session that is expected to deliver key conservative priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his anticipated White House run in 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
Worrell has not held back on her response, branding the move as tyranny. She asserts that the suspension is a means to marginalize her based on both political disagreements and racial prejudices.
The question remains: who will believe this is about the governor’s concerns over crime rather than another chapter in a pattern of racial politics?
White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris is a native Washingtonian and University of South Carolina alumna. Her passion is mentoring young adults by teaching community empowerment and media education. She is an NAB member and board member of the Thurgood Marshall Center and was presented the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing more than 4,000 hours of community service under the Obama Administration.
