Controversial chef and democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong has reversed her position on defunding and abolishing the police, saying in a recent podcast interview that she has become "serious about public safety."Hong is a Wisconsin Democratic lawmaker perhaps best known for her 2020 call to "cancel Thanksgiving" because of its colonial history.She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and a leading Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor.In an episode of Pod Save America released on Tuesday, Hong was asked about her 2020 tweets in which she wrote that "police exist to uphold white supremacy" and "I support defunding the police as a first step towards abolishing the police." The podcast host asked her, "I’m wondering how your views on policing have evolved since 2020?"In response, Hong said, "My views have only become stronger in that I’m serious about public safety and I will not abolish the police."SOCIALIST FRANCESCA HONG STRUGGLES TO EXPLAIN CALL TO 'CANCEL THANKSGIVING' AS POST RESURFACESWisconsin Gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong listens to Rep.
Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speak before being introduced during a campaign rally on August 2, 2026 in Milwaukee.Hong, a democratic socialist in the state legislature, has seen an uptick in recent poll numbers.
(Joshua Lott/Getty Images)"My views are that people are struggling right now and need basic needs met, and I want to focus on stopping violent crime and giving law enforcement the resources and the training that they need, but ensure we are also holding accountable law enforcement that does not follow the law," she added.Pressed on whether she still believes police exist to uphold white supremacy, Hong answered quickly, "No."Hong was then asked, "What has changed in your thinking since you posted that in 2020?"She answered, "I’ve had more conversations with people who are more directly connected to the problems and have learned that it is most important for a public servant...