KENOSHA, WI (WTAQ) – Governor Tony Evers is deploying Wisconsin National Guard troops to the Kenosha area ahead of the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
About 500 troops are on standby in the area to help “hundreds of officers from volunteering law enforcement agencies” if assistance is needed to handle potential unrest following the conclusion of jury deliberations on Monday.
“We continue to be in close contact with our partners at the local level to ensure the state provides support and resources to help keep the Kenosha community and greater area safe,” Evers said in a statement. “I urge folks who are otherwise not from the area to please respect the community by reconsidering any plans to travel there and encourage those who might choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights to do so safely and peacefully.”
Closing arguments are expected Monday in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, who faces five felony charges: first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and two counts of reckless endangerment. He is also charged with possessing a gun as a minor, a misdemeanor.
“We stand ready to support our communities during times of need,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general. “In close coordination with the governor, we have assembled approximately 500 Soldiers to help keep the Kenosha community safe, should a request from our local partners come in.”
Evers last mobilized troops to Kenosha in January in anticipation of the Kenosha County district attorney’s decision to charge Rittenhouse.
Evers deployed the National Guard to Kenosha on August 23rd, 2020 and doubled the size of the deployment to 250 the next day – while turning down assistance offered by the Trump administration. After the Rittenhouse shooting, Evers sent another 250 troops and accepted the White House’s offer to send up to 2,000 National Guard troops from neighboring states.
