State Attorney-elect Monique Worrell discusses her plans when she takes office in January, and former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will be starting a one-hour show on One America News in January.

State Attorney-elect Monique Worrell lays out plans for the new term

Speaking just a day after current State Attorney Andrew Bain appeared to walk back comments about not being able to assist in a transition of power, incoming State Attorney Monique Worrell said she is looking forward to getting back to work.

Worrell was suspended from office in August of 2023 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who accused her of failing to "faithfully prosecute crime." The governor appointed Bain to replace her.

In November, Worrell was re-elected to the post over Bain, who reportedly sent out an internal email recently titled "The Future is Uncertain." In it, he is quoted as saying that because Worrell's suspension was still in place, state statutes prevented him from assisting in the transition of power.

On Monday, Bain released a statement saying he was "ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition."

Discussing Bain's email Tuesday, Worrell said she wasn't sure what caused him to change course.

“So, he changed directions," she said. "What is the cause of that? I don’t know."

Worrell said she felt disheartened, but not surprised, by Bain’s internal email to employees.

“My hope is that on Jan. 6, he will leave, not to return, and then I’ll show up on Jan. 7, and resume the work that I left off on Aug. 8,” Worrell said.

Worrell said her focus will remain the same as before her suspension in August 2023.

“All of the things that I said that I was running to do in 2020, to give people second chances, to give our children an opportunity to grow up to become productive citizens, to help victims, to achieve justice,” she said.

Worrell said she never discussed her suspension with DeSantis.

“I’ve never had a conversation with the governor, ever,” she said.

On election night, nearly 58% of voters re-elected her — Worrell won with 108,000 more votes than Bain. She said she feels vindicated, and will pursue several priorities when she takes office in January.

“It’s going to be me, making an assessment of what’s going on in the office, what needs to be done, who still wants to work here,” she said.

Worrell said she decided to run again because she believes people’s votes matter. 

And now, she hopes to build safer communities, promote police accountability and diversion programs, and reduce violent crime.

“From the establishment of the violent crime prevention task force, where I worked collaboratively with law enforcement, with federal and local agencies so that we could go after the most violent and prolific offenders in our community,” she said.

Worrell also said she plans to continue the efforts of the adult civil citation program, which gives low-level, nonviolent offenders an opportunity to right their wrongs.

When asked if she was concerned that DeSantis might suspend her a second time, Worrell said she wouldn't be surprised if he tried.

“I think that we’re living in a time where anything is possible, and I would not put anything past this governor,” she said.

When asked if she had a message for the governor or Bain, she said: “I don’t. The people have sent them the message.”

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to host show on OAN

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump and later said he won't return to Congress, will host his own TV show.

One America News, a conservative media outlet, announced Tuesday "The Matt Gaetz Show" will launch in January. Gaetz's wife, Ginger, also posted about the show on X. 

The hour-long political talk show will air every weeknight at 9 p.m. Eastern. The Florida Republican will also co-host what the network called a video podcast with OAN’s Dan Ball every week with the goal of reaching younger audiences.

His time slot — prime real estate in the cable news world — reflects the high expectations that OANN has for the show, said Charles Herring, network president.

“Mr. Gaetz will provide extensive insights and analysis of the incoming administration for our viewers,” Herring said.

His hiring is a big step for OAN, which has limited television distribution and generally lives in the shadow of Fox News Channel and Newsmax in the competition for conservative viewers.

Gaetz stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process in November amid fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.

Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the post.