Judge appointed by Obama withdraws from Disney v. DeSantis case due to governor’s objection.

Liberal Judge Disqualifies Himself from Disney v. DeSantis Case

A First Amendment lawsuit filed by Walt Disney Parks against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and others has hit a snag as the chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker overseeing the case has disqualified himself. However, it’s not because of the bias concerns raised by the Republican governor, but because a relative owns 30 shares of Disney stock.

“Even though I believe it is highly unlikely that these proceedings will have a substantial effect on The Walt Disney Company, I choose to err on the side of caution — which, here, is also the side of judicial integrity — and disqualify myself,” said Walker.

DeSantis’ lawyers had filed a motion to disqualify Walker last month because he had referenced the ongoing dispute between the DeSantis administration and Disney during hearings in two lawsuits before him dealing with free speech issues and fear of retaliation for violating new laws championed by the governor and Republican lawmakers.

The filing said Walker’s remarks “could reasonably imply that the Court has prejudged the retaliation question here.”

Disney had opposed the governor’s motion, claiming the judge had shown no bias. The judge on Thursday called DeSantis’ arguments “without merit.”

The Feud Between DeSantis and Disney

The feud between DeSantis and Disney started last year after the entertainment giant lobbied against legislation banning lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Conservatives described it as an “anti-groomer” bill. The governor and GOP legislators responded by taking over Disney World’s self-governing district and appointing a new board of supervisors.

Before the new board came in, the company signed agreements with the old board made up of Disney supporters that stripped the new supervisors of design and construction authority.

In response, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed legislation allowing the DeSantis-appointed board to repeal those agreements and made the theme park resort’s monorail system subject to state inspection.

Disney filed the First Amendment lawsuit against the Florida governor and the DeSantis-appointed board in April, claiming violations of free speech and the contracts clause. The DeSantis-appointed board sued Disney in state court in Orlando seeking to void the deals the company made with the previous board.

DeSantis’ Presidential Candidacy

The governor declared his candidacy for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination last week.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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