Rep. Frost demands investigation into DeSantis’ suspension of Soros-backed state attorney

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Fla., along with Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., called for an investigation and Oversight Committee hearing following Gov. Ron DeSantis’s suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell.

DeSantis suspended Worrell this week for “neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction.”

The governor’s office stated that the main factors that played into the suspension included Worrell avoiding minimum mandatory sentencing for gun crimes and drug trafficking offenses, while limiting charges for child pornography and ignoring “valid and applicable” sentencing enhancements.

In a press release, Frost said it was an “unjust and unconstitutional suspension of Florida’s only democratically elected Black female State Attorney, Monique Worrell.”

In their letter, the members called on Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer to “heed their repeated calls for a Committee hearing to fully examine the anti-democratic abuses of power happening across Florida at the hands of the Governor and his GOP-controlled legislature.”

“Under its current administration, Florida’s executive and legislative branches of government have engaged in a relentless assault on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Floridians…” the letter said.

The letter said “given the seriousness of the current attack on democracy and freedom in Florida and other states, the urgent need for Congressional action has become more dire than ever.”

“A full Committee hearing is essential to understand the pattern of these abuses of power and to identify the steps that must be taken to protect the rights and freedoms of Floridians and Americans living in other states witnessing similar attacks,” the letter noted.

Worrell provided statements in a press conference following her immediate suspension by DeSantis

“This is an outrage […] There used to be a very high standard for the removal of elected officials,” Worrell commented, referring to DeSantis as a “dictator.”

“Three years ago, I was elected by the people of the ninth Judicial Circuit to to lead this circuit,” she said. “And yes, to do things unconventionally. To do things differently.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody, who attended the DeSantis announcement, added that Worrell was “abdicating her responsibility” as the circuit’s top prosecutor and that in-turn, undermining the state’s law and legal system.

“Monique Worrell’s administration of criminal justice in the ninth circuit has been clearly and fundamentally derelict, so as to constitute both neglect of duty and incompetence,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis announced the selection of Judge Andrew Bain to take over as state attorney for the ninth judicial circuit.

DeSantis explained that Bain is currently a judge in Orlando, a native Floridian, and a law degree recipient from University of Miami.

For the full text of the letter, click here.