SW News: Governor Ron DeSantis of the US state of Florida has suspended state prosecutor, Andrew Warren, who vowed not to enforce the 15-week abortion ban. He also favors gender transition treatments for minors. Citing the top prosecutor's recent pledge, Governor DeSantis said the prosecutor neglected his duties.

Announcing the suspension of the Hillsborough County State Attorney in the Tampa Bay area on Thursday, August 4, DeSantis said, "State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda."

Warren has been replaced by Hillsborough County Court Judge Susan Lopez. The governor further stated that Warren has been neglecting his duties repeatedly.

Warren responded to the statement by tweeting, "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."

Following the highly anticipated reversal of Roe v Wade in June, Warren signed a statement alongside dozens of prosecutors across the nation, refraining from prosecuting those who seek, provide or abet abortions. In Florida, abortions are banned past 15 weeks of gestation and it does not provide exceptions in case of rape or incest. Medical officers cannot perform abortions unless two doctors certify that the procedure is necessary to save the pregnant woman's life. A provision in the bill also allows for an exception in case of fetal anomalies.

Warren's suspension comes amid the heated discussions on abortion bans in several states following the Roe v Wade reversal and the upcoming midterm election.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Michigan court granted the attorney general's request to block Republican country prosecutors from pursuing cases against medical professionals who abet or perform abortions.