'False narratives': FL attorney ousted by DeSantis blasts the governor's criticism of Manhattan DA

Florida Democratic prosecutor, Andrew Warren, is slamming Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling it "a part of the authoritarian playbook," NBC News reports.

In 2022, DeSantis suspended Warren because of "his support of both reproductive rights and the transgender community" in the sunshine state.

However, in January, the Miami Herald reported, U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle confirmed the governor "broke the law when he dismissed" the Hillsborough County State Attorney "over vague accusations."

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Yet, the attorney remains suspended.

Warren told the Tampa Bay Times, "The court's findings were crystal clear — I'd done my job extremely well without any hint of misconduct. The governor's allegations were totally false and illegal."

Now, DeSantis is alleging another top state attorney — Bragg — has also failed at his job, calling the DA "a Soros-funded prosecutor" who is "pursuing a political agenda."

Warren told NBC News, "This has become part of the authoritarian playbook. Where rather than solving problems, you're fanning the flames."

READ MORE: 'Not based in fact': FL prosecutor blasts DeSantis for 'shameful' attempt to remove her from office

He continued, "In the realm of criminal justice, we have problems that we need to address. How do we reduce gun violence? How do we make our system more efficient and keep our neighborhoods safe? And rather than helping solve those problems," the governor and former President Donald Trump "are attacking their political enemies with false narratives."

According to NBC, Warren emphasized, "There's tremendous hypocrisy," noting, "[DeSantis] was claiming I wasn't going to prosecute abortion cases and that I wasn't going to prosecute violations of a transgender law that didn't exist. But at the same time he's … suggesting that the D.A. should not be prosecuting Trump because that crime to him is not important."

Warren's appeal of his suspension, WUSF News reports, will be heard the first week in May.

READ MORE: DeSantis suspended a state attorney for being 'woke.' Here's what his lawyers think that means

NBC News' full report is available at this link. The Miami Herald's report is here (subscription required). Tampa Bay Times' report is here. WUSF News' report is here.