DeSantis wants judge removed from Disney free speech case.

Gov. DeSantis Seeks Disqualification of Federal Judge in Disney Lawsuit

Background

In a First Amendment lawsuit filed by Disney against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his appointees, the governor is seeking to disqualify Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker from overseeing the case. DeSantis claims that the judge’s prior statements in other cases have raised questions about his impartiality on the state’s efforts to take over Disney World’s governing body.

The Lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that DeSantis and his appointees violated Disney’s right to free speech and the contracts clause by taking over the special governing district that was previously controlled by Disney supporters. This move came after Disney opposed Florida legislation that critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”

The Feud

DeSantis’s motion was filed a day after Disney announced that it was scrapping plans to build a new campus in central Florida and relocate 2,000 employees from Southern California to work in digital technology, finance, and product development. This move was made amid an ongoing feud with DeSantis.

The Motion

DeSantis’s attorney filed a motion in federal court in Tallahassee on Friday seeking to disqualify Judge Walker from overseeing the lawsuit. The motion cites the judge’s references to the ongoing dispute between DeSantis’s administration and Disney during hearings in two unrelated lawsuits dealing with free speech issues and fear of retaliation for violating new laws championed by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers.

Conclusion

The battle between Disney and DeSantis continues, with the governor seeking to disqualify the judge overseeing the First Amendment lawsuit filed by the entertainment giant. It remains to be seen how this will affect the outcome of the case, but it is clear that tensions between the two parties are high.

Key Takeaways:

• Gov. DeSantis is seeking to disqualify Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker from overseeing the First Amendment lawsuit filed by Disney against the Florida governor and his appointees.
• The lawsuit alleges that DeSantis and his appointees violated Disney’s right to free speech and the contracts clause by taking over the special governing district that was previously controlled by Disney supporters.
• DeSantis’s motion was filed a day after Disney announced that it was scrapping plans to build a new campus in central Florida and relocate 2,000 employees from Southern California to work in digital technology, finance, and product development.
• The battle between Disney and DeSantis continues, with tensions between the two parties remaining high.

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