Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Big day in Tuscaloosa. I would imagine traffics the biggest issue,
and the security is probably even a bigger issue on
that joining us now is the President said to arrive
later today and address the commencement proceedings and activities with
the University of Alabama and the students. Mayor of Tuscalusa,
Walt Maddox is here, Good morning, Mayor, how are you hey?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning jt Ready for a great.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Day in Well, I got to say you're up and moving.
I would imagine the past week or so you've been
busy with all the logistics that take place. I remember
when we lived in DC when Reagan was president. A
friend of my wife's worked with her at the Limited
clothing store. Well, her husband was the general in charge
of being out front of Reagan's travels and making sure
(00:46):
everything's set up and dealing with local law enforcement and
the mayor's How long have you been in touch with
the President's staff in his arrival.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well since Saturday before last, and that time we've worked
extremely hard with our federal partners, certainly the Secret Service
taking the lead, say partners, local partners. Tuscalous is the
main manpower that's necessary to make certain the President gets
in and out safely, and it's an honor for us, frankly,
but it is a logistical challenge and we know that
(01:17):
this afternoon and evening there's gonna be disruptions, but that's
just the nature of it. It's important we keep our
commander in chief safe and it's an honor to have
them here in Tuscalos.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
You know, Tuscaloosa has been pretty solid as far as
not tolerating crime and shutting it down. I mean, dealing
with a strip on big game days. You're you're always
used to dealing with bigger crowds than most towns that
don't have universities or a visit from a president of
the United States. When you talk about disruptions and protests
(01:48):
that comes with anything that brings the president around. What
is your stance and what messaging have you put out
there as far as tolerating it and putting it at rest.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Real quick, Well, if you come to touch loosen you
want to commit crimes, we're gonna arrest you and we're
gonna put you in jail. And that's how you're gonna
you know, that's how we're gonna welcome you to the city.
If you're interested in disrupting or or putting harm to
the people that live here and people who are busy,
and to those who are protesting. We want them to
(02:19):
be in safe areas. We want them to demonstrate their
First Amendment rights. But at the same time, we cannot
tolerate on any side any type of disruption or vandalism.
It's not who we are as a community. And we
can have free speech without disruption. Uh to today's events,
and I feel confident that will happen to everyone's credit.
(02:43):
I don't sense anything now. Again, that's why we prepare,
and that's why we'll be ready.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, I've seen on social media even academia at the
University of Alabama that are swinging left, and let's just
call it academia. A lot of times on college campuses
lean left. But some of the staff members have been
pretty vile, in disgusting actually on the attacks on President
Trump coming to the university. How could this university stand
(03:09):
for this? How hypocritical that we stand for this but
allow this man to come in here, I mean pretty
pretty violent discussions here. Does that concern you guys at all?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
In tuscalism, it concerns me as an American frankly, because
whether it would be President Biden or President Trump or
any president before.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That, when they come to your community, they come here
as the American president, and I think we should do
everything we can to welcome them. It doesn't mean we
have to agree with every policy position, but I don't
think it's appropriate to interject that type of dialogue. I
don't think it does anything to further the great American
(03:51):
experiment in my opinion, and for me, the other thing
I worry about is that it can radicalize individuals. It
gives a permission structure to do bad things, and that
is something we don't want to be. Butler Pennsylvania correct,
And so I hope everyone will take a deep breath
(04:12):
and let's enjoy the moment that the president is here.
For those that disagree, there are opportunities to protest, take
advantage of those opportunities, but let's don't do anything that
causes disruption to the President's We want him to have
a great experience in tuscalusis and JT the other thing,
let's be selfish about this. The University of Alabama, the
(04:33):
city of Tuscalusa receives a lot of federal funds. Why
would we want to bite the hand that Jesus you know,
if we're just going to be strictly selfish in this equation,
the guy that's ultimately in charge of the federal government,
why don't we welcome him with open arms, make him
have a great feeling about Tuscalusa, and you never know
when that may benefit your community.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
He's been there before for the games and stuff, and
he gets big rounds of applause when he does show up.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama is certainly a Donald Trump state there.
Let's talk about the event today real quickly. Mayor uh
open to the public or not? Is this just for
students and parents and officials in Tuscaloosa or are their
public seating for the event as well? Where will the
(05:16):
event take place?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
It will take place at Coleman Coliseum. It's a it's
my understanding, and I stand to be corrected, since the
university is managing the event itself. Where the president will be.
It's a UA ticketed event, and so it's my understanding
that you will have to have a ticket that is
issued by UA to be there. I know that we
are expecting a full House. As you can imagine, it's
(05:39):
a it's a rare opportunity to see a president and
ied station. And by the way, and here's the goodness jecting.
I know a lot of people who've been the liberal
who are going because they want to see or they
want to take their children to see the president of
the United States. Now, how cool is that?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean I think it's that's a rare opportunity
for most Americans. So I think we should just take
a dy breath and joy the moment that the President wanted.
Let me underline that wanted to be in Tuscool is
the Alabama. To me, that's a very exciting and cool
thing for our community.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Amen, And the focus will be on the students, right,
the graduating seniors are the first ones invited into the
room tonight.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Correct, that's my understanding. That's correct, that's who the President
wanted to primarily address, and so that's my understanding. That
is the university's focus.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
All right, very good, Well, Mayor, thank you very much
for being with me this morning. And know you're a
busy guy in praying that things go smooth and it's
a very successful event. President speaking tonight at seven o'clock
in Tuscaloosa, and I would imagine traffic and security are
going to be heavy, no doubt, in both directions. Thank
you mayor thank you JJ.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
You have a great day.
Big day in Tuscaloosa. I would imagine traffics the biggest issue,
and the security is probably even a bigger issue on
that joining us now is the President said to arrive
later today and address the commencement proceedings and activities with
the University of Alabama and the students. Mayor of Tuscalusa,
Walt Maddox is here, Good morning, Mayor, how are you hey?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning jt Ready for a great.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Day in Well, I got to say you're up and moving.
I would imagine the past week or so you've been
busy with all the logistics that take place. I remember
when we lived in DC when Reagan was president. A
friend of my wife's worked with her at the Limited
clothing store. Well, her husband was the general in charge
of being out front of Reagan's travels and making sure
(00:46):
everything's set up and dealing with local law enforcement and
the mayor's How long have you been in touch with
the President's staff in his arrival.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well since Saturday before last, and that time we've worked
extremely hard with our federal partners, certainly the Secret Service
taking the lead, say partners, local partners. Tuscalous is the
main manpower that's necessary to make certain the President gets
in and out safely, and it's an honor for us, frankly,
but it is a logistical challenge and we know that
(01:17):
this afternoon and evening there's gonna be disruptions, but that's
just the nature of it. It's important we keep our
commander in chief safe and it's an honor to have
them here in Tuscalos.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
You know, Tuscaloosa has been pretty solid as far as
not tolerating crime and shutting it down. I mean, dealing
with a strip on big game days. You're you're always
used to dealing with bigger crowds than most towns that
don't have universities or a visit from a president of
the United States. When you talk about disruptions and protests
(01:48):
that comes with anything that brings the president around. What
is your stance and what messaging have you put out
there as far as tolerating it and putting it at rest.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Real quick, Well, if you come to touch loosen you
want to commit crimes, we're gonna arrest you and we're
gonna put you in jail. And that's how you're gonna
you know, that's how we're gonna welcome you to the city.
If you're interested in disrupting or or putting harm to
the people that live here and people who are busy,
and to those who are protesting. We want them to
(02:19):
be in safe areas. We want them to demonstrate their
First Amendment rights. But at the same time, we cannot
tolerate on any side any type of disruption or vandalism.
It's not who we are as a community. And we
can have free speech without disruption. Uh to today's events,
and I feel confident that will happen to everyone's credit.
(02:43):
I don't sense anything now. Again, that's why we prepare,
and that's why we'll be ready.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, I've seen on social media even academia at the
University of Alabama that are swinging left, and let's just
call it academia. A lot of times on college campuses
lean left. But some of the staff members have been
pretty vile, in disgusting actually on the attacks on President
Trump coming to the university. How could this university stand
(03:09):
for this? How hypocritical that we stand for this but
allow this man to come in here, I mean pretty
pretty violent discussions here. Does that concern you guys at all?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
In tuscalism, it concerns me as an American frankly, because
whether it would be President Biden or President Trump or
any president before.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That, when they come to your community, they come here
as the American president, and I think we should do
everything we can to welcome them. It doesn't mean we
have to agree with every policy position, but I don't
think it's appropriate to interject that type of dialogue. I
don't think it does anything to further the great American
(03:51):
experiment in my opinion, and for me, the other thing
I worry about is that it can radicalize individuals. It
gives a permission structure to do bad things, and that
is something we don't want to be. Butler Pennsylvania correct,
And so I hope everyone will take a deep breath
(04:12):
and let's enjoy the moment that the president is here.
For those that disagree, there are opportunities to protest, take
advantage of those opportunities, but let's don't do anything that
causes disruption to the President's We want him to have
a great experience in tuscalusis and JT the other thing,
let's be selfish about this. The University of Alabama, the
(04:33):
city of Tuscalusa receives a lot of federal funds. Why
would we want to bite the hand that Jesus you know,
if we're just going to be strictly selfish in this equation,
the guy that's ultimately in charge of the federal government,
why don't we welcome him with open arms, make him
have a great feeling about Tuscalusa, and you never know
when that may benefit your community.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
He's been there before for the games and stuff, and
he gets big rounds of applause when he does show up.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama is certainly a Donald Trump state there.
Let's talk about the event today real quickly. Mayor uh
open to the public or not? Is this just for
students and parents and officials in Tuscaloosa or are their
public seating for the event as well? Where will the
(05:16):
event take place?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
It will take place at Coleman Coliseum. It's a it's
my understanding, and I stand to be corrected, since the
university is managing the event itself. Where the president will be.
It's a UA ticketed event, and so it's my understanding
that you will have to have a ticket that is
issued by UA to be there. I know that we
are expecting a full House. As you can imagine, it's
(05:39):
a it's a rare opportunity to see a president and
ied station. And by the way, and here's the goodness jecting.
I know a lot of people who've been the liberal
who are going because they want to see or they
want to take their children to see the president of
the United States. Now, how cool is that?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean I think it's that's a rare opportunity
for most Americans. So I think we should just take
a dy breath and joy the moment that the President wanted.
Let me underline that wanted to be in Tuscool is
the Alabama. To me, that's a very exciting and cool
thing for our community.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Amen, And the focus will be on the students, right,
the graduating seniors are the first ones invited into the
room tonight.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Correct, that's my understanding. That's correct, that's who the President
wanted to primarily address, and so that's my understanding. That
is the university's focus.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
All right, very good, Well, Mayor, thank you very much
for being with me this morning. And know you're a
busy guy in praying that things go smooth and it's
a very successful event. President speaking tonight at seven o'clock
in Tuscaloosa, and I would imagine traffic and security are
going to be heavy, no doubt, in both directions. Thank
you mayor thank you JJ.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
You have a great day.
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