Ron DeSantis asks Supreme Court to uphold his suspension of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel

Gov. Ron DeSantis told the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday that there are no grounds to overturn his suspension of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel.

In a filing with the Supreme Court, the governor’s attorneys said that the January suspension of the sheriff “lists specific grounds of suspension” required in the Florida Constitution, and “it supports the grounds with factual allegations that bear reasonable relation to the asserted grounds.”

In a separate motion, also filed Tuesday, DeSantis’ attorneys argued that the case is so clear that the justices should decide it based on the written filings – without hearing oral arguments from each side.

If the court disagrees and orders oral arguments, DeSantis wants them scheduled as quickly as possible. Israel’s side wants oral arguments before the Supreme Court justices.

DeSantis suspended Israel on Jan. 11, just three days after he took office.

The governor said lessons that should have been learned from the 2017 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport never were implemented, leading to a disorganized response in Parkland that cost lives and eroded trust in the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

The Florida Constitution gives the Florida Senate the authority to rule on gubernatorial suspensions. But Israel went to court, seeking to overturn the suspension.

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