Trump, Lawmakers Urge Governor To Send Troops Into Kenosha

RACINE, WI — The morning after two people were shot and killed during the third night of Jacob Blake-related protests and civil unrest in Kenosha, lawmakers are imploring Gov. Tony Evers for more National Guard troops — including reconsidering President Donald Trump's call for federal help.

"Two people are dead. Another was shot. This violence could have been prevented," State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said Wednesday morning. Wanggaard's district covers parts of Kenosha County. "Wisconsin’s fourth-largest city is in crisis. Its very existence is in danger. We cannot let it devolve into Portland, Seattle, or Minneapolis. Please provide 1,500 additional National Guard troops tonight. If you are unable, please accept the President’s offer."

Two deployments of National Guard troops are already in Kenosha. The first deployment was about 125 members on Monday, which was doubled to 250 on Tuesday. Local leaders want Evers to pour in more troops.

On Tuesday night, the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors asked Evers to send in 1,500 additional National Guard troops to help quell the situation in Kenosha, which continued for a third day following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Kenosha County Board Chairman John O'Day and Vice Chairwoman Monica Yuhas asked the governor for reinforcements.

"Our county is under attack," Yuhas wrote, as cited in media reports. "Our businesses are under attack. Our homes are under attack. Our local law enforcement agencies need additional support to help bring civility to our community."

According to a JSOnline report, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers turned down President Trump's offer of federal troops Tuesday, citing the availability of local National Guard troops that are standing by. "We have a National Guard standing by that if the general for the National Guard needs additional help, we're there to do it," White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said in the report, "But today, that request was denied by the governor."

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The president posted a Tweet on Twitter Tuesday night, calling for a deployment of troops into Kenosha.

"Governor should call in the National Guard in Wisconsin. It is ready, willing and more than able. End problem FAST!" Trump tweeted just after 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Blake Shot, Witness Recorded Video

Blake, 29, was shot several times by Kenosha police Sunday during the course of a domestic dispute on the city's north side.

A witness to the shooting recorded the incident on video. In that video, police are seen following Blake around his SUV, grabbing him by the shirt, and opening fire on him several times as he enters his car while his children were apparently seated inside.

Blake survived the shooting. The video of Blake's shooting has gone viral, and Kenosha has seen widespread protests ever since.

Public officials of all kinds have weighed in on the shooting, some calling for immediate punishment for the officer who pulled the trigger, others for police and social reforms, and others who are calling for a playing-out of the police investigation into the shooting.