A federal judge ruled Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) won’t have to testify over his decision to suspend a Hillsborough County prosecutor for violating the state’s abortion law, though the ruling may be reexamined during the trial set to begin next week.

The Florida governor suspended Andrew Warren from his job in August based on the prosecutor’s public vows not to follow certain abortion-related laws, specifically the state’s recently enacted ban on such procedures after 15 weeks of gestation. Warren sued later that month, alleging his free speech rights were violated and that the suspension was politically charged. …

Ahead of the trial, one unresolved matter has been whether the governor or his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, would be required to make an appearance. Warren’s counsel argues they may need to call DeSantis in order to obtain an explanation as to why he suspended Warren.

Legal counsel for DeSantis has countered that there is clear information as to why the governor suspended Warren and that testimony is not needed.