Democratic congressional hopeful Aftyn Behn, vying for Tennessee’s 7th district seat, faced a challenging interview on MS Now (formerly MSNBC) when questioned about past tweets advocating for defunding the police. The exchange, highlighted on social media, showed Behn struggling to articulate her current stance when pressed by interviewer Catherine Rampell. Behn, who has also faced scrutiny for past remarks expressing dislike for Nashville, appeared hesitant to directly address her previous statements, deflecting questions and stating she didn’t recall the tweets while emphasizing her focus remained on her upcoming election.
The issue of defunding the police remains a contentious topic in national politics. A 2023 Pew Research Center study found significant partisan divides on the issue, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to support reallocating police funding to social services. Behn’s difficulty in addressing her past tweets underscores the delicate balancing act candidates often face when navigating complex and evolving policy debates, particularly when confronted with potentially damaging past statements in the context of a competitive election.