MILWAUKEE — White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke to TMJ4's Charles Benson Wednesday on President Trump's response to the shooting of Jacob Blake and the protests that have erupted since last weekend.
Meadows tells TMJ4 that the White House is working with Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul and Wisconsin National Guard. Maj. Gen. Paul E. Knapp.
"The last couple of days are heartbreaking. This is a president that actually wants to make that there is justice to what happened with Mr. Blake but also make sure that law and order as it relates to rioting is upheld," Meadows says.
"We’re sending both federal law enforcement and additional National Guard troops from neighboring states, so we can restore law and order and keep communities safe," Meadows adds.
Meadows could not offer a total number of National Guards members deploying to Wisconsin. But he says "several thousand" have been mobilized.
"It’s important to stress two things. One, we’re there to work with local law enforcement. They have been in contact with members of Congress who reached out to me and Sen. Ron Johnson... As we look at that, it’s a coordinated effort that is locally driven and federally supported," he said.
"To the loved ones of Mr. Blake calling for peace, we join them in doing that. We join them in making sure that lady justice an return a verdict based on facts surrounding this tragic incident," Meadows said.
The Governor's Deputy Communications Director Britt Cudaback confirm Evers spoke with Meadows Wednesday about additions resources.
"Gov. Evers has been working with several state partners to get additional National Guard and state patrol support," said Cudaback.The federal government is planning to assist in facilitating conversations with other state partners and provide FBI support to our state response."
