Francesca Hong Says ‘No’ to Abolishing Police, Backs Away From 2020 ‘White Supremacy’ Claim

Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong distanced herself from past rhetoric on policing, saying she no longer believes police exist to uphold white supremacy and rejecting calls to abolish law enforcement.

“My views have only become stronger in that I’m serious about public safety. And I will not abolish the police,” Hong said on the Pod Save America Podcast Tuesday. “My views are that people are struggling right now and need basic needs met.”

Hong said her focus is on addressing violent crime while ensuring police departments have adequate resources. “I want to focus on stopping violent crime and giving law enforcement the resources and the training that they need. But ensure that we are also holding accountable law enforcement that does not follow the law,” she said.

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When asked whether she still believes that claim, Hong said, “no,” noting that her change in perspective stemmed from her six years in the state legislature and conversations with crime victims and historically marginalized communities.

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