1 00:00:01,029 --> 00:00:02,249 Well Attorney General Call, thanks 2 00:00:02,250 --> 00:00:03,229 for your time today. 3 00:00:03,230 --> 00:00:04,049 Thanks for having me. 4 00:00:04,050 --> 00:00:05,789 So, I think let's start with kind of 5 00:00:05,790 --> 00:00:07,809 the precursor to this race is 6 00:00:07,810 --> 00:00:09,389 your decision to stay in this race. 7 00:00:09,390 --> 00:00:10,709 There was a lot of speculation you 8 00:00:10,710 --> 00:00:12,049 might run for Governor. 9 00:00:12,050 --> 00:00:13,289 How do you feel about your decision 10 00:00:13,290 --> 00:00:14,609 stay in the race for Attorney 11 00:00:14,610 --> 00:00:15,179 General now? 12 00:00:15,180 --> 00:00:16,439 I feel great about my decision. 13 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:17,259 It's something I thought about 14 00:00:17,260 --> 00:00:19,139 seriously, but there 15 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:21,019 are a few factors that wait on my 16 00:00:21,020 --> 00:00:22,919 mind. One is I'm really committed 17 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:24,199 to having an impact through the work 18 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:26,019 that I do, and of course a governor 19 00:00:26,020 --> 00:00:27,959 can have a ton of impact, but we're 20 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:29,259 also having a huge impact through 21 00:00:29,260 --> 00:00:31,079 the work we do at Wisconsin DOJ, 22 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:33,099 and I don't think that the work I've 23 00:00:33,100 --> 00:00:35,399 been doing is done yet. 24 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:36,759 Family considerations played a role 25 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,879 as well, but ultimately I'm 26 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:40,439 excited about seeking an additional 27 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:42,259 term and about the work we could do 28 00:00:42,260 --> 00:00:43,549 in an additional time. 29 00:00:43,550 --> 00:00:45,349 So this is unique in that it is a 30 00:00:45,350 --> 00:00:47,049 rematch of the last election. 31 00:00:47,050 --> 00:00:48,669 We don't see that too often. 32 00:00:48,670 --> 00:00:49,829 How do you think that will influence 33 00:00:49,830 --> 00:00:50,489 things? 34 00:00:50,490 --> 00:00:51,529 One of the things that's interesting 35 00:00:51,530 --> 00:00:52,969 about a rematch is you can look back 36 00:00:52,970 --> 00:00:54,469 at what the candidate said in the 37 00:00:54,470 --> 00:00:56,249 prior race and see how those things 38 00:00:56,250 --> 00:00:57,709 held up. And I think that that's 39 00:00:57,710 --> 00:00:59,349 really instructive here. 40 00:00:59,350 --> 00:01:01,249 In the last campaign, it was shortly 41 00:01:01,250 --> 00:01:02,129 after Roe v. 42 00:01:02,130 --> 00:01:03,749 Wade had been overturned. 43 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:05,449 I had filed a lawsuit seeking to 44 00:01:05,450 --> 00:01:06,809 block enforcement of a law that 45 00:01:06,810 --> 00:01:09,349 dates back to the mid-1800s. 46 00:01:09,350 --> 00:01:10,669 Eric Toney, my opponent, had 47 00:01:10,670 --> 00:01:11,769 attacked me for that case. 48 00:01:11,770 --> 00:01:14,169 He called it a partisan stunt. 49 00:01:14,170 --> 00:01:16,049 He said it should 50 00:01:16,050 --> 00:01:17,299 be dismissed. 51 00:01:17,300 --> 00:01:19,159 And so we now can look and 52 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:20,539 see how our claims held up. 53 00:01:20,540 --> 00:01:22,219 And what we know now is that the 54 00:01:22,220 --> 00:01:23,459 Supreme Court sided with the 55 00:01:23,460 --> 00:01:25,159 argument we made in that case, and 56 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:26,899 ultimately we won that case and 57 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:28,799 access to abortion is safe and legal 58 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,119 in Wisconsin. 59 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:31,979 So will voters separate the 60 00:01:31,980 --> 00:01:32,919 attorney general's race, do you 61 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:34,099 think, from the rest of the ballot? 62 00:01:34,100 --> 00:01:35,039 Because we've seen historically 63 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:36,919 there's usually a few fewer voters 64 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:38,799 for the AG race than for governor. 65 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:40,139 And you've trailed right along. 66 00:01:40,140 --> 00:01:42,099 We have to go back to 2006, the last 67 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:44,059 time there were AG and governor 68 00:01:44,060 --> 00:01:45,419 from separate parties. 69 00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:46,499 So how does that all work together? 70 00:01:46,500 --> 00:01:48,059 You know, the results tend to be 71 00:01:48,060 --> 00:01:49,839 fairly close, but in Wisconsin we 72 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:51,399 have a lot of close elections, and 73 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:53,259 so sometimes those small differences 74 00:01:53,260 --> 00:01:54,659 can make a big difference in the 75 00:01:54,660 --> 00:01:55,519 outcome. 76 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:57,239 But I'm running based on my record 77 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,259 and my time as AG, and the 78 00:01:59,260 --> 00:02:00,499 focus can be different. 79 00:02:00,500 --> 00:02:01,959 My top priority as Attorney General 80 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:03,999 has been public safety, and we've 81 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:05,779 made significant progress on really 82 00:02:05,780 --> 00:02:07,599 important public safety issues. 83 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:09,198 One of them is fighting the opioid 84 00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:11,179 epidemic. My administration has 85 00:02:11,180 --> 00:02:13,059 helped to secure over 800 million 86 00:02:13,060 --> 00:02:13,969 dollars. 87 00:02:13,970 --> 00:02:15,649 From companies that we've alleged 88 00:02:15,650 --> 00:02:17,349 contributed the opioid epidemic and 89 00:02:17,350 --> 00:02:18,689 from others. 90 00:02:18,690 --> 00:02:20,509 Many of those dollars will be going 91 00:02:20,510 --> 00:02:21,689 to communities across the state, 92 00:02:21,690 --> 00:02:23,529 some already have, and we are 93 00:02:23,530 --> 00:02:25,029 seeing a real impact. 94 00:02:25,030 --> 00:02:26,509 Opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin 95 00:02:26,510 --> 00:02:28,509 from 23 to 24 96 00:02:28,510 --> 00:02:30,749 dropped by over 40%. 97 00:02:30,750 --> 00:02:32,529 That's a more than 600 person 98 00:02:32,530 --> 00:02:33,429 difference. 99 00:02:33,430 --> 00:02:34,809 We need to keep making progress, our 100 00:02:34,810 --> 00:02:36,329 work isn't done, but I wanna build 101 00:02:36,330 --> 00:02:37,959 on the progress we're making. 102 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:39,839 Kind of along those lines, 103 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,319 how do you view the overall election 104 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:44,399 atmosphere, both in Wisconsin and 105 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:46,139 obviously the national atmosphere, 106 00:02:46,140 --> 00:02:47,899 which plays out in voters' minds? 107 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:49,519 Well, certainly in an AG's race, 108 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,459 public safety is always important. 109 00:02:51,460 --> 00:02:52,699 But there are also other issues, I 110 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:53,739 think, that are top of mind for 111 00:02:53,740 --> 00:02:55,379 people like affordability. 112 00:02:55,380 --> 00:02:56,959 There's a major concern that a lot 113 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:58,699 of folks have about being able to 114 00:02:58,700 --> 00:02:59,819 pay the bills. 115 00:02:59,820 --> 00:03:01,799 And one reason the AG's is important 116 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,739 is we address issues 117 00:03:03,740 --> 00:03:04,639 that relate to that. 118 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:06,539 So one thing I think is critical is 119 00:03:06,540 --> 00:03:08,159 we have an AG who's not afraid to 120 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:09,659 stand up to corporate special 121 00:03:09,660 --> 00:03:11,099 interests and when companies break 122 00:03:11,100 --> 00:03:12,999 our antitrust laws, to seek to 123 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:14,159 hold them accountable. And we've 124 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:15,519 done that. We stood up to 125 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:17,739 Ticketmaster. We worked to hold 126 00:03:17,740 --> 00:03:19,419 pharmaceutical companies, drug 127 00:03:19,420 --> 00:03:21,519 companies accountable for their role 128 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,839 in allegedly conspiring to inflate 129 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:24,779 prices. 130 00:03:24,780 --> 00:03:26,479 And we work to hold John Deere 131 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,359 accountable and to help ensure 132 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:30,059 that farmers are able to repair 133 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:31,539 their own farm equipment or take 134 00:03:31,540 --> 00:03:33,319 them to take that equipment to 135 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:34,779 independent repair shops. 136 00:03:34,780 --> 00:03:36,199 One of the other high-profile things 137 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:37,559 your office has done is filed 138 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:38,779 lawsuits against the Trump 139 00:03:38,780 --> 00:03:40,559 administration along with other 140 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:41,739 attorneys general from around the 141 00:03:41,740 --> 00:03:42,939 country. 142 00:03:42,940 --> 00:03:44,299 Can you give me maybe your short 143 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:45,599 list of some of the most important 144 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:47,079 cases that maybe the public isn't 145 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:48,579 aware of the significance of some 146 00:03:48,580 --> 00:03:49,139 those? 147 00:03:49,140 --> 00:03:50,119 Well, I think you can look at them 148 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:51,199 by category. 149 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:52,919 So a lot of these cases involve the 150 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:54,679 Trump administration either putting 151 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,639 illegal conditions on or cutting 152 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:58,499 or freezing funding that would 153 00:03:58,500 --> 00:04:01,039 otherwise be coming to Wisconsin. 154 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:02,339 There's a huge amount of money that 155 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:03,939 has been impacted by this. 156 00:04:03,940 --> 00:04:05,539 And it's vital programs, things like 157 00:04:05,540 --> 00:04:07,479 funding for education or for mental 158 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,339 health programs in our schools, 159 00:04:09,340 --> 00:04:10,819 funding for disaster relief and 160 00:04:10,820 --> 00:04:12,599 mitigation, funding for the 161 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:14,239 AmeriCorps program, which the Trump 162 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:15,899 Administration tried to cut, 163 00:04:15,900 --> 00:04:17,299 transportation funding and public 164 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:18,268 health funding. 165 00:04:18,269 --> 00:04:19,989 We have consistently fought back and 166 00:04:19,990 --> 00:04:21,869 we have won case after case 167 00:04:21,870 --> 00:04:23,549 and what that has meant is that 168 00:04:23,550 --> 00:04:25,269 those funds either are not illegally 169 00:04:25,270 --> 00:04:27,289 conditioned or they're not frozen 170 00:04:27,290 --> 00:04:29,229 or ultimately cut and 171 00:04:29,230 --> 00:04:30,109 instead they can come to our 172 00:04:30,110 --> 00:04:31,709 communities and support critical 173 00:04:31,710 --> 00:04:33,219 programs in Wisconsin. 174 00:04:33,220 --> 00:04:34,619 I know we've spoken, there are some 175 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:36,359 of those cases where only if you're 176 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:37,919 a plaintiff do you actually get the 177 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,699 benefit, and in some cases some of 178 00:04:39,700 --> 00:04:41,239 the other states have gotten the 179 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:42,299 benefits just because you've won 180 00:04:42,300 --> 00:04:43,379 overall. 181 00:04:43,380 --> 00:04:44,699 What would have the impact have been 182 00:04:44,700 --> 00:04:46,439 if Eric Toney had been the attorney 183 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,459 general and had discretion on 184 00:04:48,460 --> 00:04:49,499 whether to file these cases? 185 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:51,099 Well, of the 60-plus cases that 186 00:04:51,100 --> 00:04:52,819 we've been involved in, I don't 187 00:04:52,820 --> 00:04:54,639 think any single Republican AG 188 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:56,099 has joined us in challenging the 189 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:57,499 Trump administration in any of those 190 00:04:57,500 --> 00:04:59,279 cases. And I'm not aware of a single 191 00:04:59,280 --> 00:05:01,019 case where Eric Toney has said he 192 00:05:01,020 --> 00:05:01,999 would have challenged the Trump 193 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:02,999 Administration. 194 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:04,559 What that would mean in some cases 195 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:06,459 is Wisconsin wouldn't get 196 00:05:06,460 --> 00:05:08,199 the relief that happens in court 197 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,259 because in a number of these cases, 198 00:05:10,260 --> 00:05:11,419 it's only the states that have 199 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:12,939 brought the challenge that get the 200 00:05:12,940 --> 00:05:14,799 belief. And so it could be that we 201 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:16,279 no longer have protection for 202 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:17,449 critical programs. 203 00:05:17,450 --> 00:05:19,249 If an AG is not part of one of those 204 00:05:19,250 --> 00:05:20,229 challenges. 205 00:05:20,230 --> 00:05:21,489 Do you think the public understands 206 00:05:21,490 --> 00:05:22,709 the stakes there? 207 00:05:22,710 --> 00:05:24,109 I think the stakes are huge, and so 208 00:05:24,110 --> 00:05:25,729 I think the more we talk about it, 209 00:05:25,730 --> 00:05:26,509 the better. One thing that is 210 00:05:26,510 --> 00:05:27,649 unfortunate, I think, in the Trump 211 00:05:27,650 --> 00:05:29,529 administration is we often 212 00:05:29,530 --> 00:05:31,429 see the president's actions get 213 00:05:31,430 --> 00:05:32,649 lots of coverage, that's 214 00:05:32,650 --> 00:05:33,709 understandable. 215 00:05:33,710 --> 00:05:34,929 But what I think there's been less 216 00:05:34,930 --> 00:05:36,529 coverage of is the fact that in case 217 00:05:36,530 --> 00:05:38,349 after case, actions have been 218 00:05:38,350 --> 00:05:39,689 blocked and he's been stopped from 219 00:05:39,690 --> 00:05:41,549 moving forward, in part because of 220 00:05:41,550 --> 00:05:42,449 these suits that we're talking 221 00:05:42,450 --> 00:05:43,069 about. 222 00:05:43,070 --> 00:05:44,689 So I want to talk a little bit about 223 00:05:44,690 --> 00:05:46,669 election integrity and the role of 224 00:05:46,670 --> 00:05:47,609 the Department of Justice in 225 00:05:47,610 --> 00:05:49,529 Wisconsin, not only at the statewide 226 00:05:49,530 --> 00:05:51,469 level, but in dealing with 227 00:05:51,470 --> 00:05:53,469 attempts from the 228 00:05:53,470 --> 00:05:55,129 federal government to try and claim 229 00:05:55,130 --> 00:05:56,109 voter data. 230 00:05:56,110 --> 00:05:58,249 So what is the role of your office 231 00:05:58,250 --> 00:06:00,179 in making sure elections are secure? 232 00:06:00,180 --> 00:06:01,639 Our role is simple. 233 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:03,399 It's to protect the will of the 234 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,039 voters and uphold the Constitution 235 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:06,539 and the law. And we have done that 236 00:06:06,540 --> 00:06:08,259 in a variety of ways during my time 237 00:06:08,260 --> 00:06:10,319 in office. In 2020, 238 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:11,879 Donald Trump and his allies tried to 239 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:13,119 overturn the results of our 240 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:14,999 election. We defended the results 241 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:16,899 and we won in every single one of 242 00:06:16,900 --> 00:06:18,159 those cases. 243 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,179 Right now, the president, through an 244 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:22,319 executive order, is attempting to 245 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:23,739 change the way that mail-in voting 246 00:06:23,740 --> 00:06:25,239 works. He's trying to assert federal 247 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,339 control over voting. 248 00:06:26,340 --> 00:06:28,419 We are part of the challenge against 249 00:06:28,420 --> 00:06:30,049 that, and that case is. 250 00:06:30,050 --> 00:06:31,249 Still making its way through the 251 00:06:31,250 --> 00:06:32,229 court system. 252 00:06:32,230 --> 00:06:33,189 And the federal government is trying 253 00:06:33,190 --> 00:06:35,069 to get private, confidential 254 00:06:35,070 --> 00:06:36,589 information about voters in 255 00:06:36,590 --> 00:06:38,129 Wisconsin. It's just one of the many 256 00:06:38,130 --> 00:06:39,409 ways they're trying to gain 257 00:06:39,410 --> 00:06:40,689 confidential data. 258 00:06:40,690 --> 00:06:41,829 And we have fought back against 259 00:06:41,830 --> 00:06:43,709 them. We have won, as have 260 00:06:43,710 --> 00:06:45,149 every other state that has 261 00:06:45,150 --> 00:06:46,249 challenged what they're doing because 262 00:06:46,250 --> 00:06:47,769 they are violating the law. 263 00:06:47,770 --> 00:06:49,389 We are right on the law, and so 264 00:06:49,390 --> 00:06:50,529 we're going to stand up for the rule 265 00:06:50,530 --> 00:06:51,479 of law. 266 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,319 In some of those circumstances, 267 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:54,139 there could have been outside 268 00:06:54,140 --> 00:06:55,459 plaintiffs to take the place if 269 00:06:55,460 --> 00:06:56,879 there had been a Republican AG who 270 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:58,379 declined to join the case, but 271 00:06:58,380 --> 00:06:59,359 what's the difference between having 272 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,059 the Wisconsin Department of Justice 273 00:07:01,060 --> 00:07:03,179 part of this case or filing the 274 00:07:03,180 --> 00:07:05,379 challenge versus an outside group? 275 00:07:05,380 --> 00:07:06,939 Well, in some states, the states 276 00:07:06,940 --> 00:07:08,179 have actually, I believe, provided 277 00:07:08,180 --> 00:07:09,999 their voter data to the Trump 278 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:11,339 administration. What that means is 279 00:07:11,340 --> 00:07:13,299 that people's private information 280 00:07:13,300 --> 00:07:15,159 is being turned over to the federal 281 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:16,219 government. 282 00:07:16,220 --> 00:07:17,699 That puts it more at risk of 283 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:18,539 disclosure. 284 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:19,959 It also opens up the possibility 285 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:21,859 that some third party that the 286 00:07:21,860 --> 00:07:23,219 federal government allows to access 287 00:07:23,220 --> 00:07:25,239 that data potentially could. 288 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,319 We all remember Doge was at 289 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:29,239 the federal and going through lots 290 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,059 of records last year. 291 00:07:31,060 --> 00:07:33,059 So this is about protecting the 292 00:07:33,060 --> 00:07:34,519 best interests of the people of our 293 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:36,009 state. What I think is fundamental 294 00:07:36,010 --> 00:07:37,969 and a big difference between a 295 00:07:37,970 --> 00:07:39,369 Democratic AG in this office and a 296 00:07:39,370 --> 00:07:41,189 Republican AG is are 297 00:07:41,190 --> 00:07:42,569 we going to stand up for the rights 298 00:07:42,570 --> 00:07:43,929 of the people of our state? 299 00:07:43,930 --> 00:07:45,469 Are we standing up for interests of 300 00:07:45,470 --> 00:07:46,629 the state? 301 00:07:46,630 --> 00:07:48,289 Or are we just going to cave to the 302 00:07:48,290 --> 00:07:50,029 Trump administration on issue after 303 00:07:50,030 --> 00:07:50,829 issue? 304 00:07:50,830 --> 00:07:52,469 The fact of the matter is Eric Toney 305 00:07:52,470 --> 00:07:53,629 would not stand up to the 306 00:07:53,630 --> 00:07:55,489 administration the way I have. 307 00:07:55,490 --> 00:07:56,929 It wouldn't even be close. 308 00:07:56,930 --> 00:07:58,389 And it's critical to protect our 309 00:07:58,390 --> 00:07:59,649 state's interests, the interests of 310 00:07:59,650 --> 00:08:01,209 our communities and ultimately the 311 00:08:01,210 --> 00:08:02,349 interest of Wisconsinites, that we 312 00:08:02,350 --> 00:08:03,309 have somebody there. 313 00:08:03,310 --> 00:08:04,389 Who's going to stand up for the 314 00:08:04,390 --> 00:08:06,029 Constitution and the law and not 315 00:08:06,030 --> 00:08:07,479 roll over for Donald Trump. 316 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,519 Flash forward to 2028, 317 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:10,979 another close presidential election 318 00:08:10,980 --> 00:08:12,539 in theory in Wisconsin. 319 00:08:12,540 --> 00:08:13,919 If those results are challenged 320 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:15,419 either due to election conspiracies 321 00:08:15,420 --> 00:08:17,379 or legitimate questions, what's 322 00:08:17,380 --> 00:08:18,739 the difference between you in office 323 00:08:18,740 --> 00:08:20,139 versus your opponent in office at 324 00:08:20,140 --> 00:08:20,609 that time? 325 00:08:20,610 --> 00:08:21,729 It certainly depends on the 326 00:08:21,730 --> 00:08:23,149 circumstances, but we're going to 327 00:08:23,150 --> 00:08:24,209 uphold the law. 328 00:08:24,210 --> 00:08:25,409 What a big difference I think you 329 00:08:25,410 --> 00:08:27,269 can see between what Eric Toney has 330 00:08:27,270 --> 00:08:28,409 done over the years and what I've 331 00:08:28,410 --> 00:08:30,389 done is I have consistently stood 332 00:08:30,390 --> 00:08:32,089 up for the law and the Constitution 333 00:08:32,090 --> 00:08:33,509 and defended the results. 334 00:08:33,510 --> 00:08:35,408 He has supported efforts to 335 00:08:35,409 --> 00:08:36,889 fan the flames of these attacks in 336 00:08:36,890 --> 00:08:38,569 our elections. So he supported 337 00:08:38,570 --> 00:08:40,229 Michael Gabelman's investigation 338 00:08:40,230 --> 00:08:42,209 into the 2020 election, which went 339 00:08:42,210 --> 00:08:44,069 so poorly that Robin Voss, who 340 00:08:44,070 --> 00:08:45,629 launched it, ultimately called 341 00:08:45,630 --> 00:08:47,309 Michael Gabalman an embarrassment to 342 00:08:47,310 --> 00:08:48,619 state of Wisconsin. 343 00:08:48,620 --> 00:08:50,059 I'm not aware of Eric Toney to this 344 00:08:50,060 --> 00:08:51,339 day having disavowed that 345 00:08:51,340 --> 00:08:52,319 investigation. 346 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:53,319 He called for members of our 347 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:54,579 election commission to be removed 348 00:08:54,580 --> 00:08:56,559 from office, which also I 349 00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:58,479 think is another effort to sort 350 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,479 of pander to the 351 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:02,159 extremists on this issue. 352 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:03,519 I have been clear that our elections 353 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:04,979 are safe and secure. 354 00:09:04,980 --> 00:09:06,199 As I said, we defended the results 355 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,499 in 2020, and I was clear in 2024 356 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:10,279 that we would defend the results no 357 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:11,059 matter who won. 358 00:09:11,060 --> 00:09:12,299 Now, it turned out Donald Trump won 359 00:09:12,300 --> 00:09:14,019 that election, and there was no 360 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:15,559 challenge in Wisconsin to the 361 00:09:15,560 --> 00:09:17,109 results. Because the fact of the 362 00:09:17,110 --> 00:09:18,309 matter is, people know that our 363 00:09:18,310 --> 00:09:20,249 elections are free and fair and 364 00:09:20,250 --> 00:09:21,389 that the results reflect the will of 365 00:09:21,390 --> 00:09:22,419 the voters. 366 00:09:22,420 --> 00:09:24,279 What do you make of the fact that 367 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:25,599 Republicans are out there, including 368 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,559 Eric Tony, telling people to vote by 369 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:29,119 absentee at the same time supporting 370 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:30,579 federal measures that would 371 00:09:30,580 --> 00:09:32,179 drastically restrict or calling 372 00:09:32,180 --> 00:09:33,759 absentees voters potentially 373 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:34,709 fraudulent? 374 00:09:34,710 --> 00:09:36,609 Yeah, well, the reality is that the 375 00:09:36,610 --> 00:09:38,049 systems of voting that we have in 376 00:09:38,050 --> 00:09:39,689 place work really well. 377 00:09:39,690 --> 00:09:41,369 Our system is safe and secure. 378 00:09:41,370 --> 00:09:42,849 It is important for people to know 379 00:09:42,850 --> 00:09:44,589 that one of the unfortunate effects 380 00:09:44,590 --> 00:09:46,089 of the Trump administration has just 381 00:09:46,090 --> 00:09:47,989 been an undermining of how 382 00:09:47,990 --> 00:09:48,769 the U.S. 383 00:09:48,770 --> 00:09:49,969 Postal Service has been working, how 384 00:09:49,970 --> 00:09:51,489 effectively it's been working. 385 00:09:51,490 --> 00:09:53,129 And so mail does seem to be slower 386 00:09:53,130 --> 00:09:54,389 now than it used to be, so it's 387 00:09:54,390 --> 00:09:55,889 important if people do vote by mail 388 00:09:55,890 --> 00:09:57,689 that they get those ballots in 389 00:09:57,690 --> 00:09:59,849 early. But it's fundamentally 390 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:01,049 important for for people that know 391 00:10:01,050 --> 00:10:03,249 that our system is safe, secure, 392 00:10:03,250 --> 00:10:04,069 free and fair. 393 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:05,149 For a lot of people that don't 394 00:10:05,150 --> 00:10:06,629 follow your office very closely. 395 00:10:06,630 --> 00:10:08,289 One of the ways that they hear about 396 00:10:08,290 --> 00:10:09,869 the Department of Justice and the AG 397 00:10:09,870 --> 00:10:11,449 every four years is crime lab 398 00:10:11,450 --> 00:10:12,669 statistics. 399 00:10:12,670 --> 00:10:13,889 Obviously, that's one of the major 400 00:10:13,890 --> 00:10:15,129 things you campaigned on when you 401 00:10:15,130 --> 00:10:16,049 first got elected. 402 00:10:16,050 --> 00:10:17,209 It was one of issues in the last 403 00:10:17,210 --> 00:10:18,829 election. Your opponent's talking 404 00:10:18,830 --> 00:10:21,109 about the crime lab in unfilled 405 00:10:21,110 --> 00:10:22,849 positions and slow turnaround. 406 00:10:22,850 --> 00:10:24,249 So defend your record in where the 407 00:10:24,250 --> 00:10:24,929 crime is. 408 00:10:24,930 --> 00:10:25,809 Yeah, well first I think it's 409 00:10:25,810 --> 00:10:26,969 important to separate two things 410 00:10:26,970 --> 00:10:28,729 out. One is, one of the issues I 411 00:10:28,730 --> 00:10:30,549 talked about back in 2018 was 412 00:10:30,550 --> 00:10:32,429 untested sexual assault kits, 413 00:10:32,430 --> 00:10:34,529 and we worked to get legislation 414 00:10:34,530 --> 00:10:36,329 passed, which ultimately passed 415 00:10:36,330 --> 00:10:37,349 through the Republican-led 416 00:10:37,350 --> 00:10:38,829 legislature, that's going to help 417 00:10:38,830 --> 00:10:41,009 ensure that Wisconsin never has 418 00:10:41,010 --> 00:10:42,989 another backlog of untested sexual 419 00:10:42,990 --> 00:10:43,909 assault kids. 420 00:10:43,910 --> 00:10:45,969 Now in terms of the labs themselves 421 00:10:45,970 --> 00:10:47,869 on a day-to-day basis, one of the 422 00:10:47,870 --> 00:10:48,929 things I've been clear about is 423 00:10:48,930 --> 00:10:50,689 where we need resources from the 424 00:10:50,690 --> 00:10:52,309 state legislature. And in the last 425 00:10:52,310 --> 00:10:53,279 state budget... 426 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:55,259 My office requested 19 additional 427 00:10:55,260 --> 00:10:57,019 positions for the labs. 428 00:10:57,020 --> 00:10:58,359 Eric Toney's allies in the state 429 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:00,759 legislature provided zero positions. 430 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:02,439 And look, that's not an accident. 431 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:04,919 This is politics being played here. 432 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:06,419 But the overall picture, I think, is 433 00:11:06,420 --> 00:11:08,359 important not to lose sight of. 434 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,939 Wisconsin, last year in 2025, 435 00:11:10,940 --> 00:11:12,319 had the lowest number of violent 436 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:13,899 crimes that we have had any year 437 00:11:13,900 --> 00:11:15,539 since 2011. 438 00:11:15,540 --> 00:11:17,199 Fond du Lac County, where Eric Tone 439 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:18,959 is DA last year, had the second 440 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:20,519 highest number of violence crimes 441 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,379 that the county has had in decades. 442 00:11:22,380 --> 00:11:23,159 And sell. 443 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:24,439 If you compare our track records 444 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:26,699 overall, there's a clear difference. 445 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:28,299 We need to keep doing what we're 446 00:11:28,300 --> 00:11:30,069 doing to keep our communities safe. 447 00:11:30,070 --> 00:11:32,769 How do you think the DOJ gets 448 00:11:32,770 --> 00:11:34,969 credit for lower crime statistics 449 00:11:34,970 --> 00:11:35,989 statewide? 450 00:11:35,990 --> 00:11:37,649 Well, there are lots of folks who 451 00:11:37,650 --> 00:11:39,509 play a role in what we do statewide, 452 00:11:39,510 --> 00:11:40,609 and the Department of Justice is 453 00:11:40,610 --> 00:11:42,549 involved in investigating crimes 454 00:11:42,550 --> 00:11:44,149 of statewide importance. 455 00:11:44,150 --> 00:11:45,269 We oversee the crime labs. 456 00:11:45,270 --> 00:11:47,089 We work on every felony 457 00:11:47,090 --> 00:11:48,629 criminal appeal in the state. 458 00:11:48,630 --> 00:11:50,389 We also work in partnerships with 459 00:11:50,390 --> 00:11:51,489 lots of other law enforcement 460 00:11:51,490 --> 00:11:52,429 agencies. 461 00:11:52,430 --> 00:11:54,529 What I think is important is that we 462 00:11:54,530 --> 00:11:55,829 recognize that lots of folk 463 00:11:55,830 --> 00:11:57,789 contribute to overall safety in 464 00:11:57,790 --> 00:11:58,609 the State, and that certainly 465 00:11:58,610 --> 00:12:00,829 includes local law enforcement and 466 00:12:00,830 --> 00:12:01,669 others. 467 00:12:01,670 --> 00:12:03,009 What's notable, I think, though, is 468 00:12:03,010 --> 00:12:03,949 Fond du Lac County. 469 00:12:03,950 --> 00:12:05,409 Has gone the opposite direction from 470 00:12:05,410 --> 00:12:06,549 the rest of the state under the 471 00:12:06,550 --> 00:12:08,569 leadership of Eric Toney, 472 00:12:08,570 --> 00:12:10,529 that I think is not the kind of 473 00:12:10,530 --> 00:12:11,469 failure I want to see taken 474 00:12:11,470 --> 00:12:12,489 statewide. 475 00:12:12,490 --> 00:12:14,649 The DOJ oversees issues 476 00:12:14,650 --> 00:12:16,029 related to officer-involved 477 00:12:16,030 --> 00:12:17,429 shootings. There was one in Madison 478 00:12:17,430 --> 00:12:18,989 that gained a pretty high profile 479 00:12:18,990 --> 00:12:20,289 recently. 480 00:12:20,290 --> 00:12:22,309 And your opponent was taking 481 00:12:22,310 --> 00:12:23,749 selfies, walking down through the 482 00:12:23,750 --> 00:12:25,309 protest zone, claiming that it was 483 00:12:25,310 --> 00:12:27,129 your job to come in and bust up 484 00:12:27,130 --> 00:12:29,309 the protest. How do you react to 485 00:12:29,310 --> 00:12:31,089 him trying to bring you into the 486 00:12:31,090 --> 00:12:31,999 middle of that? 487 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,139 Yeah, investigating officer-involved 488 00:12:34,140 --> 00:12:35,539 shootings is one of the solemn 489 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:37,639 responsibilities that often falls 490 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:38,599 on our Division of Criminal 491 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:40,159 Investigation at the Department of 492 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:41,499 Investigation. 493 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:42,799 Under state law, when there's an 494 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,339 officer- involved death, there needs 495 00:12:44,340 --> 00:12:45,979 to be an outside agency that leads 496 00:12:45,980 --> 00:12:47,579 that investigation, and that's often 497 00:12:47,580 --> 00:12:48,539 DCI. 498 00:12:48,540 --> 00:12:49,759 I think it is of fundamental 499 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:51,479 importance that the public knows 500 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,159 that DCI is taking that 501 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:55,099 responsibility seriously, isn't 502 00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:56,379 playing politics with that 503 00:12:56,380 --> 00:12:58,239 responsibility, and is conducting 504 00:12:58,240 --> 00:12:59,699 the investigation in a manner that 505 00:12:59,700 --> 00:13:00,789 is objective. 506 00:13:00,790 --> 00:13:02,729 And fair. That's how you ensure that 507 00:13:02,730 --> 00:13:04,369 there is public confidence in the 508 00:13:04,370 --> 00:13:06,369 outcome of the investigation 509 00:13:06,370 --> 00:13:07,729 and ultimately the prosecution 510 00:13:07,730 --> 00:13:08,609 decision. 511 00:13:08,610 --> 00:13:10,449 So I think having an AG who 512 00:13:10,450 --> 00:13:12,309 is weighing in on lots of political 513 00:13:12,310 --> 00:13:14,149 issues that stem from that kind 514 00:13:14,150 --> 00:13:16,109 of incident is reckless because 515 00:13:16,110 --> 00:13:17,609 it would potentially undermine 516 00:13:17,610 --> 00:13:19,709 public confidence in the objectivity 517 00:13:19,710 --> 00:13:20,849 of what's being done. 518 00:13:20,850 --> 00:13:22,109 So I thinks it's critical that our 519 00:13:22,110 --> 00:13:23,809 AG stays focused on the solemn 520 00:13:23,810 --> 00:13:25,709 responsibility at hand and doesn't 521 00:13:25,710 --> 00:13:27,009 try to play politics with side 522 00:13:27,010 --> 00:13:28,189 issues that arise from that. 523 00:13:28,190 --> 00:13:29,809 Did you have any conversations, you 524 00:13:29,810 --> 00:13:31,629 or your staff, with local officials 525 00:13:31,630 --> 00:13:33,649 about when or how to 526 00:13:33,650 --> 00:13:34,979 clear out the protesters? 527 00:13:34,980 --> 00:13:36,819 I can't speak to what staff 528 00:13:36,820 --> 00:13:37,839 conversations had. 529 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,279 Our focus is on conducting the 530 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:40,939 officer-involved investigation. 531 00:13:40,940 --> 00:13:42,799 We are always available to local law 532 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,279 enforcement and agencies around the 533 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,239 state know that if there is a role 534 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:47,979 for DOJ or a Division of Criminal 535 00:13:47,980 --> 00:13:49,839 Investigation to play, agencies 536 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:51,119 throughout Wisconsin know that they 537 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:52,699 can reach out and if there is 538 00:13:52,700 --> 00:13:54,519 assistance that can be provided that 539 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:55,899 we're there to help. 540 00:13:55,900 --> 00:13:57,319 One of the topics that's starting to 541 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:58,939 dominate the gubernatorial election 542 00:13:58,940 --> 00:14:00,819 is over data centers. 543 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:02,559 Is that slipping into your race at 544 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:04,259 all? Does the Department of Justice 545 00:14:04,260 --> 00:14:05,979 have any impact over the data center 546 00:14:05,980 --> 00:14:06,679 debate? 547 00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:08,359 It's possible that we could if there 548 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:09,379 were to be an environmental 549 00:14:09,380 --> 00:14:11,539 violation, for example, 550 00:14:11,540 --> 00:14:13,259 but where I really think DOJ is 551 00:14:13,260 --> 00:14:15,079 going to be important is if 552 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:16,779 there's legislation that's passed. 553 00:14:16,780 --> 00:14:18,199 I know that in the last legislative 554 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,079 session Senator Jody 555 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:21,539 Haddish-Sinikin had proposed some 556 00:14:21,540 --> 00:14:24,079 legislation regarding data centers. 557 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:25,519 The Republican majority ultimately 558 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:27,439 didn't pass that legislation, but 559 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:28,739 I think there's a real possibility 560 00:14:28,740 --> 00:14:30,719 in a new legislative session you 561 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,079 could see guardrails put in place. 562 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:33,779 And I would like to see. 563 00:14:33,780 --> 00:14:34,899 Further protections for the 564 00:14:34,900 --> 00:14:36,359 environment, protections for rate 565 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,319 payers, and I guarantee that there 566 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,499 is going to be public information 567 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:42,459 provided, as well as making sure 568 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:43,579 that we've got strong labor 569 00:14:43,580 --> 00:14:45,139 conditions in place. 570 00:14:45,140 --> 00:14:46,999 Then you could potentially have DOJ 571 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,079 involved in a more direct 572 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:50,699 enforcement role, and I think it's 573 00:14:50,700 --> 00:14:52,239 critical that we got somebody like 574 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:53,759 me with a track record of standing 575 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,699 up to special interests and not 576 00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:57,619 somebody who we can't count on to 577 00:14:57,620 --> 00:14:58,639 stand up to special interests. 578 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:00,779 Eric Toney took $10,000 579 00:15:00,780 --> 00:15:02,379 this year in campaign contributions 580 00:15:02,380 --> 00:15:04,029 from the Coke Packs. 581 00:15:04,030 --> 00:15:05,629 We need somebody who we can rely on 582 00:15:05,630 --> 00:15:06,829 to stand up for us 583 00:15:06,830 --> 00:15:08,709 You brought up abortion earlier, but 584 00:15:08,710 --> 00:15:09,929 I want to bring that back as a 585 00:15:09,930 --> 00:15:10,769 topic. 586 00:15:10,770 --> 00:15:12,229 How relevant is that still to 587 00:15:12,230 --> 00:15:14,069 voters? It's not a constitutional 588 00:15:14,070 --> 00:15:15,989 right in either the nation or 589 00:15:15,990 --> 00:15:17,609 in Wisconsin, despite lawsuits that 590 00:15:17,610 --> 00:15:19,109 have attempted to make it so. 591 00:15:19,110 --> 00:15:20,869 So how important is it who the next 592 00:15:20,870 --> 00:15:21,809 attorney general is? 593 00:15:21,810 --> 00:15:22,969 It remains to be seen. 594 00:15:22,970 --> 00:15:24,149 One thing we saw I think over the 595 00:15:24,150 --> 00:15:26,069 last four years is it certainly can 596 00:15:26,070 --> 00:15:27,489 have an impact because my 597 00:15:27,490 --> 00:15:29,469 administration was fighting to 598 00:15:29,470 --> 00:15:31,029 protect access to safe and legal 599 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:33,229 abortion and Eric Toney called 600 00:15:33,230 --> 00:15:34,729 the case that we brought a farce 601 00:15:34,730 --> 00:15:36,229 among other things. 602 00:15:36,230 --> 00:15:37,849 Now fortunately we've got a ruling 603 00:15:37,850 --> 00:15:39,369 in place that currently protects 604 00:15:39,370 --> 00:15:41,289 access to safe and legal abortion 605 00:15:41,290 --> 00:15:43,249 in Wisconsin but as 606 00:15:43,250 --> 00:15:44,109 you said there's no state 607 00:15:44,110 --> 00:15:45,369 constitutional protection in place 608 00:15:45,370 --> 00:15:46,669 right now. There's no federal 609 00:15:46,670 --> 00:15:47,809 constitutional protection 610 00:15:47,810 --> 00:15:49,869 specifically for abortion 611 00:15:49,870 --> 00:15:51,349 access, and what that means is 612 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:53,059 that... If there were a Tom Tiffany 613 00:15:53,060 --> 00:15:54,779 in the Republican legislature, you 614 00:15:54,780 --> 00:15:56,159 could have further restrictions put 615 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:57,819 in place and you could see an 616 00:15:57,820 --> 00:15:59,059 attorney general, Eric Toney if he 617 00:15:59,060 --> 00:16:01,059 were in office, aggressively working 618 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:03,039 with them to restrict access 619 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:03,919 to abortion. 620 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:05,059 The other thing that's going on 621 00:16:05,060 --> 00:16:06,699 right now is the federal government 622 00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:08,559 is potentially going to restrict the 623 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:10,559 access. The new attorney general 624 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:12,519 had a meeting with an 625 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:14,139 anti-abortion group where he 626 00:16:14,140 --> 00:16:15,399 signaled that he wanted to restrict 627 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,419 to access and I think making sure 628 00:16:17,420 --> 00:16:18,559 that the states are prepared to 629 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:19,719 fight back where there's a legal 630 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,109 basis for doing so. 631 00:16:21,110 --> 00:16:22,149 Is going to be important to 632 00:16:22,150 --> 00:16:23,269 protecting people's rights going 633 00:16:23,270 --> 00:16:24,049 forward. 634 00:16:24,050 --> 00:16:25,149 And finally, I want to talk about 635 00:16:25,150 --> 00:16:26,449 the Wisconsin Supreme Court. 636 00:16:26,450 --> 00:16:28,369 There's now a 5-2 liberal majority, 637 00:16:28,370 --> 00:16:29,629 quite a shift from when you first 638 00:16:29,630 --> 00:16:30,829 came into office. 639 00:16:30,830 --> 00:16:32,769 Does that change how you bring a 640 00:16:32,770 --> 00:16:34,369 case? I mean, are you thinking of 641 00:16:34,370 --> 00:16:35,969 individual justices, or do you 642 00:16:35,970 --> 00:16:37,329 persuade them, and do you prepare 643 00:16:37,330 --> 00:16:38,629 for oral arguments? 644 00:16:38,630 --> 00:16:40,769 It can, and the reason I say that is 645 00:16:40,770 --> 00:16:42,269 part of what you factor into the 646 00:16:42,270 --> 00:16:43,369 decision about how to use your 647 00:16:43,370 --> 00:16:45,229 resources is what the likely outcome 648 00:16:45,230 --> 00:16:46,549 is going to be. 649 00:16:46,550 --> 00:16:48,309 And as the philosophy of the 650 00:16:48,310 --> 00:16:50,309 justices changes, that might impact 651 00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:52,229 what a likely outcome may be in 652 00:16:52,230 --> 00:16:53,009 a case. 653 00:16:53,010 --> 00:16:54,609 That being said, the vast majority 654 00:16:54,610 --> 00:16:57,049 of what we're doing at DOJ is 655 00:16:57,050 --> 00:16:59,129 defending actions taken by 656 00:16:59,130 --> 00:17:01,729 state actors or defending state law. 657 00:17:01,730 --> 00:17:03,589 So in most cases, it 658 00:17:03,590 --> 00:17:04,889 doesn't have much of an impact. 659 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:06,969 But it could on on cases where 660 00:17:06,970 --> 00:17:08,108 you know it might be that 661 00:17:08,109 --> 00:17:09,909 conservative justices are likely to 662 00:17:09,910 --> 00:17:11,588 rule differently from how more 663 00:17:11,589 --> 00:17:13,459 progressive justices might rule. 664 00:17:13,460 --> 00:17:14,689 Josh Gold, thanks for your time. 665 00:17:14,690 --> 00:17:15,949 Thanks for having me. 666 00:17:15,950 --> 00:17:17,049 All right, that was great, thank 667 00:17:17,050 --> 00:17:18,649 you. Thank you. 668 00:17:18,650 --> 00:17:19,650 Thanks for.