Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday night defended his veto against the Arkansas health care bill against the transversal and refused to be bullied by Tucker Carlson.
Carlson has repeatedly used his top software over the past few months to attack trans children and their parents, mainly under the guise that they want to prevent child abuse or protect the sanctity of women’s sports.
In March, he tore up Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, an emerging GOP star and potential presidential candidate, for “exercising” the NCAA by not signing a bill banning transgender women in sports. (Name, who supports the exclusion of transgender athletes, said the bill could lead to a long court battle that the state would eventually lose.)
Before his interview with Carlson, Hutchinson told NPR that the Arkansas bill, which deals with gender-confirming treatments for underage minors, is a “step too far” and puts a “very vulnerable population in a more difficult position.”
He added: “My own personal view is that it is too extreme, that it was too broad and not grandfathered among the young people who are currently under hormone treatment.”
The Save Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act, passed by the state legislature by overriding Hutchinson’s veto, prohibits minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormones, and any transition-related surgeries, even if they have parental consent. It may also remove the licenses of healthcare providers that provide such services.
At the start of his conversation with the Fox News star, the governor pointed out that Carlson’s description of Hutchinson’s attitude – which he said was ‘pro-choice on the issue of chemical castration’ – was inaccurate.
“If it was a bill that merely banned chemical castration, I would have signed the bill,” Hutchinson said. ‘But Tucker, as you know, this bill was too broad and extreme. It went much further than you just said. ‘
“And I made it clear that I would absolutely have signed the bill when it comes to banning sexual assignment procedures,” he continued. ‘But it was the first law in the country that appealed to the state between medical decisions, parents agreeing to it and the patient’s decision. And so it goes way too far. And in fact, it does not even have a grandfather clause that those young people who are under hormonal treatment. ‘
Carlson insists that puberty blockers are the equivalent of ‘chemical castration’, and then asks him out loud why Hutchinson will not just get rid of the legislation that allows children to get married or drink alcohol. “There are all kinds of things in Arkansas, kids in every state are not allowed to do,” Carlson said.
Carlson also claimed that Hutchinson did not do much research on transgender issues, only for the governor to point out that he had quite studied the subject.
“Contrary to what you just said, I spent a lot of time researching issues, meeting people, listening to the experts as well as faith leaders,” he said. ‘And I’m a person of faith, but at the same time I’m a person with the limited role of government. I signed pro-life accounts. I sign many bills that will 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 spoke out against the bill because it targets transgender youth. Carlson pushed it aside and asked the governor instead if he would talk to corporations like Walmart before practicing the legislation.
After saying he had not done so yet, Hutchinson tried to return to his previous point, only for Carlson to press him again or he had spoken to the corporate interests about the bill.
‘Tucker, I answered that. I answered the question and said, “No, I did not.” Do you have another question? Hutchinson shoots back and surprises Carlson in silence from time to time.
“I’m skeptical because we’ve certainly seen it – let me say, Governor, with respect. I’m skeptical that not a single business in the state of Arkansas has cooperated with you in any way on this bill.” The Fox host finally replied.
Carlson then goes back to his original argument, asking why Hutchinson would not allow underage drinking and marriage, and wonders out loud, “Why do we regulate children’s behavior when we allow children to decide”? While scolding Hutchinson, the governor eventually fired back at the increasingly hostile host.
“Do you want to keep talking or do I want me to answer the question ?!” Ask Hutchinson.
The lengthy interview concluded with Carlson asking Hutchinson if he could ever have predicted to the governor what a bill would provide “protection against children against chemical castration”, which Hutchinson asked to give a fairly nuanced response.
‘If you talk about less than 200 children in Arkansas who are currently undergoing hormone treatment and are being cut off immediately without a grandparent clause in the legislation, I think it does not treat the children or their parents or their healthcare providers. . reasonable or equal, ”he said.