Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers urged President Donald Trump to avoid visiting Kenosha.
What We Know:
- Kenosha has been grappling with racial unrest after the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake who was shot in the back seven times by a white Kenosha police officer. The town broke out in riots in response to the racial injustice, causing police to arrest 175 people, 102 of them have addresses outside of the city, according to Fox News.
- On Saturday, The White House announced that President Donald Trump will be visiting Kenosha Saturday evening after being asked early Saturday and responding with, “probably so”. “We’ve had tremendous success as you know. We were finally able to get the go ahead from the local authorities to send in the National Guard. Within a few minutes of the guard, everybody cleared out and it became safe.”
- On Sunday, Gov. Tony Evers wrote a letter to Trump urging him to not visit Kenosha because of how it would look to Wisconsin citizens. “I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing,” the letter said. “I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.”
- “It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting, mourning, and trying to cope with trauma,” he continued. “Now is not the time for divisiveness.” After the letter was sent, White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement Sunday night that Trump is still coming to Kenosha to meet with its local officials and observe the aftermath of the riots.
- “The White House has been humbled by the outreach of individuals from Kenosha who have welcomed the President’s visit and are longing for leadership to support local law enforcement and businesses that have been vandalized,” Deere said. “President Trump looks forward to visiting on Tuesday and helping this great city heal.”
Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris spoke to the Blake family on Wednesday. And when asked about Trump’s meeting with the family, the White House administration said that the full schedule has not been ironed out yet. They did say that they reached out to the Blake family but, according to the family, they have not heard from the White House.
