Here & Now

Gov. Tony Evers on Police Reform

Frederica Freyberg:

The police shooting of Jacob Blake not only set off a storm of protests for racial justice, it was the spark that led Governor Tony Evers to order a special session of the Legislature to take up his proposals on police reform. He called the session to act on a slate of reforms, including a ban on the use of police chokeholds, eliminating the use of police no-knock warrants and the creation of statewide use of force standards. The session was gaveled in by Republican majorities in both houses on Monday, but in a skeletal session which took up no debate and delayed action. Thursday, Republican leaders extended the session into next week. Later in the program we will talk with Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke. Joining us now is Governor Tony Evers and thank you very much for being here.

Tony Evers:

Thanks, Frederica.

Frederica Freyberg:

Before we get to proposals for police reform, President Trump says he ended the violence in Kenosha. What is your response to that?

Tony Evers:

Well, I think the people of Kenosha had a role in that. I think the people that serve in law enforcement had a role in that. Frankly, our National Guard. I know that President Trump is trying to claim that he did that, but frankly positioning the National Guard is a state issue. It’s not a national issue. It’s never been a national issue. Everything the city of Kenosha and the county of Kenosha asked of me, we did, and that included from 3:00 a.m. on Monday morning, we started moving National Guard members into Kenosha and doubled that number every single day. We eventually reached out to other states. And so, you know, as far as who’s taking credit, I think I would say certainly the law enforcement and National Guard, but also the peaceful protestors of Kenosha and, frankly, the parents of the gentleman that was shot. I mean, people were calling out for peace and that’s exactly what happened. I don’t — I don’t know what the president’s role played at all.

Frederica Freyberg:

Are some of those National Guard troops standing down today?

Tony Evers:

Yes. We have sent back the out-of-state members and have our members — we still have people on the ground there, but we did stand some down.

Frederica Freyberg:

So you asked President Trump not to come. Do you think in the end he did inflame tensions?

Tony Evers:

Well, I don’t think he helped. I mean, when you — first of all, people there want to heal and that’s a real important thing. And when you’re there as a chief — chief person of the United States, especially as it relates to health care, in a room with people where no one’s wearing a mask, that sends a bad message. I would say that doesn’t help people heal, when you’re absolutely not doing what you should be doing. Additionally, he was — he was making some statements around the shooting of the gentleman and talked about it in terms of — instead of the fact that he was shot, Jacob was shot seven times in the back, he compared it to choking on a putt on the golf course. To me, that’s an irrational comment.

Frederica Freyberg:

You also asked former Vice President Joe Biden not to come to Kenosha. What did he say in response to you when you talked with him about not coming?

Tony Evers:

He felt confident that he could provide empathy and the healing that the people needed. Clearly candidates can make their own decisions, whether I want them to come or not, but he indicated, he promised me that he would be empathetic and he would be working to make sure that people are healing in a positive way.

Frederica Freyberg:

As to your special session on police reform, it was gaveled in, but your proposals were not taken up. What is your reaction to the Legislature’s action on this?

Tony Evers:

Well, and that goes back to Jacob Blake and his parents, too, that they are saying, yes, we’re hurting, we want to heal, but we have to have policy changes and that’s exactly why we did what we did, is we needed policy changes as it relates to policing, you know, as it relates to a number of different things. But I am very disappointed, and not surprised, but very disappointed. But so are the people in the state. We actually have our professional athletes in this state talking about this. And so after the incident in Minneapolis, people of Wisconsin were well aware of what the changes should be. They’re supportive of it. For some reason, the Republicans are not. I don’t get it.

Frederica Freyberg:

And yet do you believe you will be able to work in a bipartisan way on this with this speaker’s task force?

Tony Evers:

Well, I don’t think we have to wait for a task force. I’ve been talking to — some of these bills are Republican bills. And Senator Wanggard from Racine has been working on things too so I think the pieces are in place. We don’t need a task force. People want action.

Frederica Freyberg:

Governor Tony Evers, thanks for joining us.

Tony Evers:

Thanks a lot Frederica.