Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist state assemblywoman, has walked back her past support for defunding the police, telling a podcast interviewer she is "serious about public safety" instead. The reversal comes as she faces scrutiny over a string of past left-wing positions, including calls to abolish the US Senate and eliminate ICE, which have drawn attacks from Republicans as she seeks statewide office.

Hong was questioned about her earlier social media comments during an appearance on Fox News's "America's Newsroom", where host Dana Perino pressed her on the police, Senate and ICE remarks. Hong argued the comments require context and reiterated her focus on supporting working-class families across Wisconsin, without fully disavowing her past statements.