Updated Aug 30, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Trump to visit Kenosha despite Wisconsin governor asking him not to

Rebecca Falconer

Combination images of President Trump and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. Photos: Drew Angerer/Getty Images; Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Images

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) asked President Trump in a letter Sunday to reconsider his planned trip to Kenosha this week following protest unrest over Jacob Blake's shooting. But White House spokesperson Judd Deere told Axios the trip will go ahead.

The big picture: After Deere told reporters Saturday the president would "survey damage from recent riots," Evers told Trump he's concerned his presence "will only hinder our healing" and "delay our work to overcome division and move forward together."

Jacob Blake's attorney Benjamin Crump said earlier Sunday that the president hadn't contacted the Blake family about his visit to Kenosha on Tuesday.

The other side: Deere said in a statement emailed to Axios on Sunday night, "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.

"President Trump looks forward to visiting on Tuesday and helping this great city heal and rebuild."

Read Evers' letter in full via DocumentCloud:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Deere and more context.

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Trump to visit Kenosha despite Wisconsin governor asking him not to

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