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Andrew Warren—a Florida state attorney from Tampa—was ousted earlier this month by Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The pro-reproductive choice Warren signed statements pledging not to prosecute people for violating new abortion restrictions or enforce a law prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.
Warren earned further praise recently after sharing the story of his infant son's death in a heartbreaking speech.
Warren posted a video of his speech to his official Twitter account, saying 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."
He urged his followers to listen to his story "and the threat to democracy we all face" and encouraged them to "join our fight to protect your vote and defend democracy."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
\u201cWhen 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.\u201d— Andrew Warren (@Andrew Warren) 1661184982
Here is what Warren said, including his story about his infant son:
"I'm talking about August 4, 2009, thirteen years ago. I was a federal prosecutor at the time. My wife was eight months pregnant and she was driving to a doctor's appointment that morning."
"I usually would have gone with her but on that day I was preparing for a trial with the DOJ until I didn't. And I received a phone call, a frantic call that she had been in a car accident. She rushed to the hospital and I rushed to the hospital to join her."
"And I arrived in time to witness the birth of my son and to be with him for 15 minutes before he was taken off life support. Bearing a child changes your life. And those of you know my wife know that she is my life's compass, my North Star, my anchor, but it's my son and now my two daughters who are my inspiration."
"They inspired me to run for State Attorney. They inspire my vision of criminal justice, a vision of making our neighborhoods safer so no mother or father ever has to bury their son or comfort their daughter because they were the victim of a crime."
"A vision about making our system better, more fair, more just, so that everyone who goes through is treated equally regardless of the color of their skin or the contents of their wallet."
Many praised Warren for speaking out and criticized DeSantis.
\u201cBeware of DeSantis. He is extremely bad for our country.\u201d— Mika Ferrer (@Mika Ferrer) 1661203274
\u201cPlease listen to Andrew Warren, the state attorney voted in by Floridians and removed by Ron DeSantis. This is a glimpse of Warrens character.\u201d— Alma Fleischer (@Alma Fleischer) 1661205380
\u201cDeSantis must be stopped\u201d— Shampoo dealer \ud83d\udc99 (@Shampoo dealer \ud83d\udc99) 1661223648
\u201cGod. You guys gotta unmute and listen to this heartbreaking story. Ron DeSantis is not just a monster. He\u2019s criminal in suspending this man that voters chose.\u201d— Kathryn (@Kathryn) 1661244695
\u201cHear the REAL politically motivated attack by Ron Desantis.\u201d— \ud83c\udf0aJust April\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@\ud83c\udf0aJust April\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1661261196
\u201cOne of the most outrageous subversions of democracy going on right now is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 suspension \u2013\u00a0in essence his removal \u2013\u00a0of the twice elected DA of Tampa for doing something that DAs across America do every single day: use their discretion.\u201d— David Menschel (@David Menschel) 1661221094
\u201cImagine what DeSantis will do on the reg if elected President? \n\nStop him, Florida! \n\nTomorrow\u2019s your day to send Ron into a fit with a \ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\uddf3 for Florida Democrats in the Primary!\n #FloridaPrimary #Florida #VoteBlueToSaveDemocracy\u201d— OnlyOnlyne (@OnlyOnlyne) 1661222483
\u201cThe color of the skin or the contents of their wallets; listen to what the man trying to tell y'all. I keep telling people racism is not black and white. It is rich and poor and until we know the difference it will never change. #BlueCrew \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc99\ud83e\ude96\ud83c\udf96\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u201d— Sharon Caffey (@Sharon Caffey) 1661268036
\u201cIn a dictatorship, you get fired for doing your job, instead of bending to the will of the dictator. That\u2019s what happened to FL State Attorney Andrew Warren who refused to prosecute women for getting abortions. He was elected by the people to serve them, not Ron.\u201d— Duty To Warn \ud83d\udd09 (@Duty To Warn \ud83d\udd09) 1661202718
Earlier this year, Warren filed a lawsuit in United States District Court in which he stated DeSantis violated his First Amendment right to freedom of speech, characterizing his removal as “retaliation” on the part of DeSantis.
During a news conference, Warren said there is "so much more at stake here than my job," adding DeSantis violated Florida law when he orchestrated a politically motivated ouster.
In April, DeSantis signed into law a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, shortening the period from 24 weeks.
The law permits termination of a pregnancy if at least two physicians certify it is necessary to avert a "serious risk" to the pregnant woman's physical health or that the fetus has a "fatal fetal abnormality", but does not permit elective termination of viable pregnancies resulting from rape, human trafficking, incest or permit termination of viable pregnancies that pose a risk of psychological (but not physical) harm.