Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers hit again Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump’s border czar urged the Democratic chief could possibly be arrested for distributing steerage to state workers on what to do if confronted by federal immigration brokers.
The guidance is simple and unremarkable, instructing state workers to “keep calm,” ask federal brokers for his or her title and badge, contact an legal professional, and decline to reply questions or present brokers entry to any paperwork with out a lawyer current.
“State workers might not grant [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] or one other agent entry to any such knowledge or info absent authorization from their authorized counsel pursuant to a sound judicial warrant,” the steerage reads.
In a speech addressed to Wisconsinites and the nation, Evers stated that the “purpose of this steerage was easy — to offer clear, constant directions to state workers and guarantee they’ve a lawyer to assist them adjust to all federal and state legal guidelines.”
“However Republicans and their right-wing allies, together with Elon Musk, lied about this steerage, unfold misinformation, accused me of doing issues I didn’t do or say, and fueled a faux controversy of their very own creation,” Evers stated.
One Republican member of the Wisconsin State Meeting on Friday morning posted an AI-generated image of Evers in handcuffs on the state capitol, with Trump standing behind him in police uniform.
“I’m used to Republicans and the appropriate wing mendacity about me. It comes with the job,” Evers stated Friday. “However, this time, these lies got here at a price. I haven’t damaged the legislation. I haven’t dedicated a criminal offense. And I’ve by no means inspired or directed anybody to interrupt any legal guidelines or commit any crimes.”
“However when President Trump’s hand-picked appointee, Tom Homan, was requested about me and this steerage after he apparently threatened to arrest elected officers throughout the nation, he stated, ‘Wait ’til you see what’s coming,’” the governor continued.
“In a single day, Republican lawmakers piled on, encouraging the Trump administration to arrest me.”
Watch Homan’s feedback to reporters:
NEW: When requested about Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers telling state officers to not cooperate with ICE, Border Czar Tom Homan appears to sign arrests could possibly be imminent:
“Wait till you see what’s coming. I meant what I stated.” pic.twitter.com/xJxw5sBVY6
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 1, 2025
Homan’s thinly veiled risk towards Evers and different officers got here days after FBI brokers arrested Wisconsin Decide Hannah Dugan on obstruction charges alleging that she helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by misdirecting federal authorities. Dugan’s authorized workforce says she is harmless and can be vindicated in court docket.
Evers stated Friday that Homan’s threats are “chilling” and “must be of concern to each Wisconsinite and each American who cares about this nation and the values we maintain expensive.”
“These threats characterize a regarding trajectory on this nation,” stated Evers. “We now have a federal authorities that may threaten or arrest an elected official — and even on a regular basis Americans — who’ve damaged no legal guidelines, dedicated no crimes, and completed nothing fallacious.”
“And as disgusted as I’m in regards to the continued actions of the Trump administration, I’m not afraid,” he added. “I’ve by no means as soon as been discouraged from doing the appropriate factor, and I can’t begin at present.”
Watch Evers’ remarks in full:
The Wisconsin governor’s full tackle is transcribed under:
Good morning, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers right here.
I’m talking to you at present as your governor but additionally as a involved American.
Yesterday, a Trump administration official, in not so many phrases, apparently threatened to arrest me for distributing steerage that requested state company workers to seek the advice of with an legal professional if federal brokers present up at state buildings with authorized paperwork.
The purpose of this steerage was easy—to offer clear, constant directions to state workers and guarantee they’ve a lawyer to assist them adjust to all federal and state legal guidelines. Nothing extra, nothing much less.
However Republicans and their right-wing allies, together with Elon Musk, lied about this steerage, unfold misinformation, accused me of doing issues I didn’t do or say, and fueled a faux controversy of their very own creation.
Now, I’m used to Republicans and the appropriate wing mendacity about me. It comes with the job. However, this time, these lies got here at a price. I haven’t damaged the legislation. I haven’t dedicated a criminal offense. And I’ve by no means inspired or directed anybody to interrupt any legal guidelines or commit any crimes.
However when President Trump’s hand-picked appointee, Tom Homan, was requested about me and this steerage after he apparently threatened to arrest elected officers throughout the nation, he stated, “Wait ’til you see what’s coming.” In a single day, Republican lawmakers piled on, encouraging the Trump administration to arrest me.
Chilling threats like this must be of concern to each Wisconsinite and each American who cares about this nation and the values we maintain expensive.
We reside in america of America, of us. We’re a rustic of legal guidelines. The rule of legislation issues. Following the legislation issues.
On this nation, the federal authorities doesn’t get to abuse its energy to threaten on a regular basis Individuals. On this nation, the federal authorities doesn’t get to arrest Americans who haven’t dedicated a criminal offense. On this nation, we don’t threaten to persecute individuals simply because they belong to a special political get together.
These threats characterize a regarding trajectory on this nation. We now have a federal authorities that may threaten or arrest an elected official—and even on a regular basis Americans—who’ve damaged no legal guidelines, dedicated no crimes, and completed nothing fallacious.
And as disgusted as I’m in regards to the continued actions of the Trump administration, I’m not afraid. I’ve by no means as soon as been discouraged from doing the appropriate factor, and I can’t begin at present.
I swore an oath after I took this workplace to help the Structure of america and the Structure of the state of Wisconsin and to faithfully discharge the duties of this workplace to the perfect of my capability. I’ll by no means waver from that promise.
I hope and pray each elected and appointed official on this nation, together with the president of america of America, will do the identical.
Ahead, and for Wisconsin, all the time.
Thanks.
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