February 25, 2019 - 2:37 PM
MADISON, Wis. - The Latest on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers withdrawing National Guard troops from the nation's southern border (all times local):
4:35 p.m.
An Illinois congressman who says he's a member of the Wisconsin National Guard is ripping Gov. Tony Evers for pulling troops off the nation's southern border.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker sent troops to Arizona in June. Evers, a Democrat, pulled them back with an executive order Monday.
Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who represents Illinois' 16th Congressional District, tweeted Monday that he's a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. He blasted Evers for withdrawing state troops, saying stopping illegal immigration is honourable. He asked Evers if his decision was political and to reconsider.
A Wisconsin National Guard spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to an email seeking to confirm that Kinzinger is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. A Kinzinger spokeswoman also didn't immediately respond to an email.
___
4:20 p.m.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is ordering the state's National Guard troops to withdraw from the nation's southern border and return home.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker ordered troops to Arizona in June to assist with administrative duties along the border. Evers, a Democratic, issued an executive order on Monday ordering them to withdraw.
Evers said in a news release announcing the order that about 112 troops are currently serving in Arizona. He said in the release that keeping the borders safe and protecting immigrants seeking asylum is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol's job and there's not enough evidence to support Republican President Donald Trump's declaration that a national emergency exists along the border.
He says there's no justification for Wisconsin National Guard troops to remain at the border.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019