Tucker Carlson interviewed U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) earlier this week. Braun asked to come on after he was featured on the show for endorsing Black Lives Matter. Braun has put forth legislation to make it easier to sue law enforcement.
Carlson asked Braun if he is in favor of abolishing the nuclear family and if he had read the BLM website.
Braun said he supports people in society being able to air their grievances.
Braun himself highlighted the shooting of Rayshard Brooks as “egregious.” Brooks took an officer’s taser and, while fleeing, looked back and fired the taser at another officer. He was shot and killed.
Carlson pressed Braun on that incident.
“Do you believe that the officer now facing the death penalty deserves to face the death penalty and if you don’t tell us what he should have done,” Carlson said.
“I think that’s going to be determined by the court,” Braun said.
“Hold on, you cited it. You’re the one who called it egregious, so why don’t you tell us what Officer Rolfe should’ve done when this man fired a taser at him,” Carlson asked.
“I think that you probably should’ve had the judgment that in a traffic stop like that you don’t shoot somebody in the back,” Braun answered.
Carlson interrupted again and asked for Braun to answer the question — what should the officer have done after Brooks fired a weapon at him.
“Probably have not killed the guy,” Braun said.
Braun then went into an odd explanation about Chuck Schumer using this issue against the GOP-controlled Senate.
“Who controls the Senate? Does chuck Schumer control it? I thought Republicans controlled the Senate. And so you’re taking your cues from Chuck Schumer. You’re saying Chuck Schumer might criticize me, therefore I have to pass a law that makes it easier to sue police.”
Carlson asked Braun what law enforcement groups are endorsing his bill. Braun said they’re not endorsing it, they just think it’s a better idea to be in the discussion than be outside of it.
“But if you care what they think, why don’t you write something they’ll endorse,” Carlson asked.
“The Democrats now think they can win with it in the election, and that’s why we needed to be engaged now in a way that would’ve kept it on the table,” Braun said.
Carlson then finished what turned out to be a rough interview.
“So you need to write a bill that law enforcement won’t endorse, the country is burning not because cops are burning it down, but because the mob is, but you think the morally culpable party is the police, so you’re making it easier for left-wing groups to sue them. Am I missing something?”
Braun said he doesn’t believe anyone can justify the looting or rioting, but the underlying issue needs to be addressed.
“So you’re telling me that what’s happening now is the result of police behavior, it’s the fault of the police,” Carlson said.
Carlson asked if Braun is making it easier for business owners to sue the mob for burning businesses down.
Braun then said if Republicans are not in the discussion, they’re going to be on the sidelines as they are on so many issues as conservatives because they fail to engage.
“I don’t think you’re going to win on this issue. I don’t think the public supports you at all on this. And with respect, I just don’t,” Carlson said.
