Walker: John Doe Restrictions Are A Win For Free Speech

Gov. Scott Walker said that signing a bill exempting political crimes from the state’s John Doe investigation law is a win for free speech in Wisconsin.

The governor signed the bill into law Friday, officially blocking prosecutors from using the state’s John Doe law to investigate political crimes. Walker himself has been involved in two secret John Doe Investigations during the last five years, but he said the new law isn’t about his experience. Rather, he said, it’s about protecting free speech.

“I think there were legitimate concerns that people had about what they felt were violations of First Amendment rights,” said Walker. “And this just guarantees going forward, Wisconsin will be in line with what just about every other state is across the country.”

Democrats who voted against the bill aren’t convinced. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca slammed both Walker and the bill, which he called the “Corrupt Politicians Protection Act.”