>> In Saint Croix County. I'm Erica Ayisi for "Here&
Now". >> This week "Here& Now",
senior political reporter Zac Schultz sat down with
the two candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court
election, Appellate Court Judge Maria Lazar and
Appellate Court Judge Chris Taylor. Over the next two
weeks, we'll have extended interviews with the
candidates. But this week, we wanted to show you their
reactions to some questions about ICE enforcement in
Minneapolis. >> There's obviously a lot
of controversy over ICE's engagements in Minnesota
right now. There's speculation that that could
be moving to Wisconsin. What role would the
Wisconsin court system have when we've heard some local
law enforcement say they will not work with federal
officials, some say they will work with when it
comes to protesters rights. How do you see Wisconsin
courts getting involved in this, or is this strictly a
federal issue? the circumstances. You
never want to see anyone injured or lose their life.
That's a tragedy in all respects, in every case.
But I think that cooler heads have to prevail.
There is a right to First Amendment freedom of speech,
but I also believe that this is an excellent
example of why we need our courts. In this case, it's
probably federal courts, but why we need our courts
to be fair, impartial and independent, to look at the
facts, to make a reasoned, calm decision, and to do so
fairly, unjustly. >> Certainly. I will tell
you, Zach, as I go out around the state, I think
that Wisconsinites are really concerned by what
they're seeing in Minnesota. They're afraid, and I don't
blame them. Courts, state courts must make sure that
every person who violates the law is held accountable.
So in Minnesota, they should do their full and
fair investigation, and then they will make a
decision that state about whether criminal charges
will be brought and they should be able to do that.
So yes, state courts absolutely could be
involved because criminal charges are brought in
state courts. Typically nobody is above the law.
The Constitution applies to everyone. And so I think
that we will see some involvement or potentially
see involvement if there are criminal charges filed
in the Minnesota state courts. And that could
happen here in Wisconsin as well.
>> And there was a statement by the FBI
director, Kash Patel, over the weekend saying, you
can't bring a firearm loaded to any kind of
protest that you want. I want to get your reaction
to whether that is a true statement, in the sense
that the First Amendment and the Second Amendment.
>> I would have no idea what those rules are with
regard to federal rules about bringing a firearm. I
think you're violating possibly the Second
Amendment, where people have the right to conceal
carry their right to open carry. I wouldn't comment
on his statement at all whatsoever.
>> Well, I don't know all of the laws that the state
of Minnesota, but I believe they do have a concealed
carry law. So, you know, this investigation of what
exactly happened in this scenario will play out and
we will find out a lot more, and we will see if
Minnesota makes the decision on how they're
going to act. Are criminal charges going to be brought
or other charges going to be brought? But I don't
specifically know all the laws in Minnesota. But what
I would say is everyone should support a full and
complete investigation into what occurred and if there
has been unlawful activity. People need to be held
accountable. But I want to make sure that Minnesota
has that ability to do their investigation and
make their conclusions before I jump to any
conclusions. But my gosh, conclusions. But my gosh,