WISCONSIN — Mark Meadows, the White House Chief of Staff, said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers turned down federal help in Kenosha.
Since the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha on Sunday, the city has seen three straight nights of unrest and businesses damaged.
Evers has sent Wisconsin National Guard troops to the city but is apparently refusing help from the federal government.
“I got on the phone right away, and called the governor, and offered assistance in the form of additional National Guard help," said Meadows in an interview with Fox News Tuesday night.
However, Meadows said Evers turned down that help.
“We have National Guard standing by, that if the general for the National Guard needs additional help, we’re there to do it. But today, that request was denied by the governor,” said Meadows.
Meadows acknowledged that Evers had ordered extra troops to be in Kenosha Tuesday night. However, even with their presence, things still turned violent when two people were shot and businesses were damaged.
"We have a first amendment right that allows us to peacefully protest, but you do not have a first amendment right to loot and to riot," said Meadows.
According to Meadows, President Donald Trump was also in contact with Evers on Tuesday.
“The appeal tonight to the people of Kenosha is: The president is willing to help. It’s time that we take control," said Meadows.
Wisconsin State Senator Van Wanggaard sent a letter to Evers on Wednesday calling Evers refusal "disgusting and insulting."
"If your spokesperson’s statement about your refusal of federal assistance is accurate, it is disgusting and insulting. Asking for resources for COVID, but refusing assistance for Kenosha is unconscionable and a slap in the face to every resident of Kenosha. When your house is on fire, you do not refuse your neighbor’s hose to help douse the flames because you are also hungry," wrote Wanggaard.
We have reached out to Evers for a statement and are waiting to hear back.
