Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is facing renewed scrutiny after a CNN KFile report uncovered a series of social media posts and public statements in which she advocated abolishing police departments and accused law enforcement of upholding “white supremacy.”
Hong, a 37-year-old Wisconsin state representative and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is competing in a crowded Democratic primary field that includes Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and state Sen. Kelda Roys.
According to CNN’s review, Hong made numerous posts during 2020 and 2021 endorsing efforts to dismantle police departments amid nationwide unrest and heated political debates over law enforcement.
In one August 2020 post on X, Hong wrote that she supported “defunding the police as a first step towards abolishing the police.”
The following year, she escalated that rhetoric further, posting: “Police exist to uphold white supremacy. Defund then abolish. Reform can’t be an option.”
The resurfaced comments arrive at a politically sensitive moment for Democrats nationally, many of whom have spent recent years distancing themselves from “defund the police” messaging after facing significant voter backlash. Concerns over crime, public safety, and instability in major cities became a major issue in elections across the country, forcing many Democratic candidates to moderate earlier rhetoric.
CNN reported that Hong did not disavow the statements when questioned about them, and not all of the posts have been deleted from her social media accounts.
Instead, Hong attempted to frame her earlier remarks as part of a broader long-term vision regarding public safety and community investment.
“While I envision a world where public safety is not synonymous with law enforcement, I recognize that this paradigm shift is a very long-term vision and my focus is building systems of care for now and for our future,” Hong told CNN in a statement.
At the same time, she also said she does not support “arbitrary cuts” to public safety budgets, though she questioned whether existing police spending levels represent the most effective use of taxpayer resources.
Republicans in Wisconsin have already seized on the controversy, using Hong’s past remarks to portray her as too far left for a battleground state where public safety remains a major concern for many voters.
The KFile report also highlighted several deleted social media posts from Hong’s history, including reposts involving racially charged rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic. One repost stated, “You all can say ‘Chinese coronavirus’ as long as I can say ‘white racism.’”
Another resurfaced post from 2020 included profanity directed at fast food executives invited to the White House by President Donald Trump during the pandemic.
“This is who gets to talk policy about food …the folks who keep trump orange and fat. F**k,” Hong wrote at the time.
The controversy underscores the ongoing divide inside the Democratic Party between progressive activists and more moderate voters, particularly on issues involving policing and public order. It also reflects how statements made during the intense political climate of 2020 continue resurfacing years later as candidates seek higher office.
While the governor’s race remains crowded and competitive, Hong’s past rhetoric is likely to remain a flashpoint as Republicans work to tie Democrats to the most controversial slogans and policy positions that emerged during a period of widespread national unrest.
