Wisconsin state Representative Nick Milroy (D), the lawmaker who was tackled last night while trying to enter the Capitol building in Madison, said in a statement Friday that both he and the law enforcement officers involved in the incident had acted aggressively, but that “no harm was done.” He did, however, have some harsh words for what he calls the “armed-palace environment created by Gov. Walker.”
Milroy said he has been “extremely frustrated by Gov. Walker’s lockdown of the Capitol this week.” For two days, he said, he has held office hours outside, “in the cold.”
“No lawmaker should have to go to that extent to talk to the people he represents, and the citizens of Wisconsin should have access to the people they elected to represent them,” Milroy said. “This armed-palace environment created by Gov. Walker has everyone feeling very tense and emotions are running high.”
Despite the incident last night, Milroy credited the officers who “worked to diffuse the situation,” and he also praised Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs for “skillfully” working to clear the building after hours.
“Overall, law enforcement has done an excellent job in a ridiculous situation,” Milroy wrote. “They are simply following the orders of Governor Walker.”
Read the whole statement here.
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpointsmemo.com
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