Republican government Asa Hutchinson, who defended her veto on the Arkansas anti-trans health bill on Tuesday night, refused to be harassed by Tucker Carlson and rejected attempts by Fox’s host to stun him with points of discussion and bad characterizations.
Carlson has repeatedly used his best-rated program in recent months to attack trans children and their parents, mostly under the guise of wanting to prevent child abuse or protect the sanctity of women’s sport.
In March, she fired South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, a rising Republican star and potential presidential candidate, for “caving” in the NCAA by failing to sign a bill banning transgender women in the sports. (Noem, who supports the exclusion of transgender athletes, said passing the bill could lead to a long legal battle that the state would eventually lose).
Prior to his interview with Carlson, Hutchinson told NPR that the Arkansas bill banning gender-based treatments for transgender minors was a “step too far” and puts a “very vulnerable population in a position.” more difficult “.
He added: “My own personal view is that this is too extreme, it was too broad and the grandfather did not do it in those young people who are currently on hormone treatment.”
The Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act, passed by the state legislature overturning Hutchinson’s veto, prohibits minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormones and any transition-related surgery, even if they have parental consent. . You could also remove the licenses from any health care provider that provides these services.
Earlier in his conversation with the Fox News star, the governor noted that Carlson’s description of Hutchinson’s stance — which he said was “pro-selection on the issue of chemical castration” —was inaccurate.
“If this had been a bill that simply banned chemical castration, I would have signed the bill,” Hutchinson said. “But Tucker, as you know, this bill was excessive and extreme. It went far beyond what you just said.”
“And I made it clear that if it were to ban sexual reassignment surgery procedures, I would have signed this bill,” he continued. “But this was the first law in the country to invoke the state between medical decisions, parents consenting to it, and the patient’s decision. And so that goes too far. And in fact, it doesn’t even have no grandfather clause that young people who are on hormone treatment “.
Insisting that puberty blockers were the equivalent of “chemical castration,” Carlson wondered aloud why Hutchinson would not only get rid of laws that allow children to marry or drink alcohol. “There’s all kinds of things in Arkansas, kids from all states don’t have permission,” Carlson said.
Carlson also claimed that Hutchinson had not done much research on transgender issues, only for the governor to point out that he has studied the issue a lot.
“Contrary to what you just said, I spent a lot of time reviewing cases, meeting people, listening to experts and also religious leaders,” he said. “And I am a person of faith, but at the same time, I am a person with a limited role in government. I signed pro-life bills. I sign many bills that would be considered very conservative. But this is one that crosses the line. There is no need for it ”.
Hutchinson referred Carlson to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has spoken out against the bill because it targets young transgender people. Carlson set that aside, instead of asking the governor if he talked to corporations like Walmart before vetoing the legislation.
After saying no, Hutchinson tried to get back to his previous point, only for Carlson to pressure him again on whether he had spoken to corporate interests about the bill.
“Tucker, I answered. I answered that question and said, “No, I didn’t.” Do you have any other questions? “Hutchinson fired back, briefly impressing Carlson in silence.
“I’m skeptical because we’ve certainly seen it all over the world, let me say, Governor, with respect, I’m skeptical that not a single Arkansas state corporation has weighed in on you in one way or another. in this bill, “Fox ‘s host finally replied.
Carlson returned to his original line of argument, wondering why Hutchinson would not allow minors to drink and marry and wondered aloud, “Why do we regulate children’s behavior if we allow children to decide?” in transition? As he nodded to Hutchinson, the governor finally fired at the increasingly hostile host.
“Do you want to keep talking or do you want me to answer the question ?!” Hutchinson asked.
The lengthy interview concluded with Carlson asking Hutchinson if he could ever have planned to be the governor vetoing “a bill that would have protected children from chemical castration,” which prompted Hutchinson to give a rather nuanced answer.
“When you talk about less than 200 children in Arkansas who are currently on hormone treatment and who are immediately cut off without having a grandfather clause in the legislation, I don’t think you’re treating those children, or their parents, or their health care providers. . quite or equally, “he said.