DeSantis Moves To Dismiss Disney Case, Judge Says Wait

In the latest development in the ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company, the governor’s legal team is seeking to dismiss Disney’s lawsuit against him and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board.

While no official motion has yet to be filed, court documents indicate that DeSantis plans to seek dismissal, while also laying out deadlines for the defendants to file their motion.

Photo: Maria Tamo/Getty Images

Judge Walker Pauses DeSantis’ Dismissal Motion

In a subsequent filing, however, Judge Mark Walker said that the court would “take no action” on yesterday’s proposed briefing schedule and “forthcoming motions to dismiss” until the court rules on the pending motion filed by the DeSantis team to disqualify Walker from the case.

Photo: NY Post

Last week, Governor DeSantis’ team moved to have Judge Mark Walker removed. This was because Walker had in two separate past cases “offered ‘Disney’ as an example of state retaliation” without being prompted.

DeSantis Looks To Disqualify Judge

DeSantis’ team argues that because of those remarks, one “could reasonably imply that the Court has prejudged the retaliation question” in the Disney case.

Ron DeSantis

“Because that question is now before this Court. And because that question involves highly publicized matters of great interest to Florida’s citizens, the Court should disqualify itself to prevent even the appearance of impropriety,” DeSantis’ legal team wrote.

While the question of Walker’s impartiality will have to first be determined, the next step would likely be a ruling on DeSantis’ motion for dismissal.

Photo: Greg Angel/Spectrum News 13

Disney Asks For Dismissal

Disney has already filed a motion to dismiss the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s suit against the company in state court.

“Just over a year ago, Disney expressed a political view that Governor DeSantis did not like. In response, the Governor unleashed a campaign of retaliation. Weaponizing the power of government to punish Disney for its protected speech,” Disney said in the motion.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

As always, continue to check back in with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the news surrounding the battle between Ron DeSantis and Disney.

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