Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican elected in 2025 to represent Wisconsin’s 61st House district, has used his social media platform to criticize the Dane County District Attorney’s office for its handling of cases involving vandalism and violence against law enforcement.
On October 2, 2025, Donovan posted: “There’s been much discussion about inciting political violence and how do we stop it.
It’s simple: harshly punish and hold accountable those who incite or commit violence.
Then why is the Dane County DA’s office lenient with vandals who incite violence against police? https://t.co/kcBjWP3zJbhttps://t.co/QXl2qSOGXq“
In a subsequent tweet on the same day, he continued his criticism by referencing recent incidents at a local memorial: “The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial has been vandalized multiple times, yet no suspect has faced true accountability. The Dane County DA’s office is coddling those responsible, who will likely be emboldened to do it again.”
The following day, Donovan expressed concern over perceived leniency in bail decisions involving suspects accused of violent behavior towards police officers. On October 3, 2025, he wrote: “If I was a cop and a criminal tried to evade arrest and pulled a gun on me, but was released on a signature bond the next day, I would lose my mind.
Our justice system seems more focused on going easy on criminal behavior instead of protecting the public. https://t.co/2UMqn6c8bH“
Donovan succeeded Amanda Nedweski as representative for Wisconsin’s 61st House district after winning election in 2025. His recent statements add to ongoing debates within Wisconsin regarding prosecutorial discretion and public safety concerns.
