Kinzinger: Border remarks were freedom of speech
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A spokeswoman for an Illinois congressman who doubles as a Wisconsin National Guard pilot says he shouldn't face any discipline for criticizing Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for withdrawing troops from the U.S. southern border because he was off duty when he made his remarks.
Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger criticized Evers on Twitter and on Fox News on Monday for an executive order pulling Wisconsin National Guard troops out of Arizona. Wisconsin statutes prohibit a commissioned officer from using "contemptuous words" against government officials, including the president and Wisconsin's governor.
Guard officials and Evers' office are looking into whether to discipline Kinzinger.
Kinzinger's spokeswoman, Maura Gillespie, tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Kinzinger was exercising his freedom of speech rights off duty, just as he has done when he has criticized President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama.
Above is from: https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/National-Guard-looking-into-reps-criticism-of-Evers-506385651.html
Kinzinger rips Evers for withdrawing troops
By Todd Richmond / The Associated Press
Posted Feb 25, 2019 at 7:39 PMUpdated Feb 25, 2019 at 8:02 PM
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered the state’s National Guard troops to withdraw from the border with Mexico Monday, drawing the ire of U.. Rep Adam Kinzinger who says he serves in the Wisconsin National Guard and the border mission is honorable.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker ordered troops to Arizona in June to assist with administrative duties along the border. Evers, a Democrat, issued an executive order Monday withdrawing them. Evers announced the order late Monday afternoon.
The governor said about 112 troops are currently serving in Arizona but keeping the borders safe and protecting immigrants seeking asylum is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s job. He said there’s not enough evidence to support Republican President Donald Trump’s declaration that a national emergency exists and there’s no justification for Wisconsin troops to remain.
“I cannot support keeping our brave service men and women away from their families without a clear need or purpose that would actively benefit the people of Wisconsin or our nation,” Evers said.
Kinzinger, a Republican congressman from Illinois, tweeted on Monday that he is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and criticized Evers for his decision. In a series of tweets, he said he was sent to the border as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and his crew caught a man crossing the border with 70 pounds of methamphetamine.
“Wonder the damage that would do in Milwaukee ...” he tweeted.
He went on to claim that he and his crew “captured a few coyotes, who prey on desperate migrants” and he came across a woman alone in the desert and helped the border patrol rescue her.
He tweeted that stopping illegal immigration is an honorable mission and asked Evers whether his decision to withdraw was a political one. He also asked Evers to reconsider.
Kinzinger echoed those sentiments during an appearance on Fox News, criticizing Evers for not visiting the troops on the border. He accused the governor of lacking the courage to announce the withdrawal earlier in the day.
A Wisconsin National Guard spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking to confirm whether Kinzinger is a Wisconsin National Guard member and whether he would face any military discipline for criticizing Evers, the state National Guard’s commander in chief.
A Kinzinger spokeswoman in Washington, D.C., also didn’t immediately respond to an email.
Above is from: https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190225/kinzinger-rips-evers-for-withdrawing-troops
Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25More
Before returning from my Air Guard mission in Tucson this weekend, I learned
@GovEvers is pulling Wisconsin Guard forces out of Arizona effective March 3rd.77 replies130 retweets264 likes
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Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger
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As a member of the WI Guard, I saw firsthand the amazing work by my fellow guardsmen. Stopping illegal immigration is quite an honorable mission, but since @GovEvers doesn’t agree, let me share a few more things his Guard did this week:
6:00 AM - 25 Feb 2019
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- Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25
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His crew found and directed
@cbp to a man crossing the border with 70 lbs of meth. Had we not been there, that deadly drug would be on the streets. Wonder the damage that would do in Milwaukee...41 replies69 retweets184 likes
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- Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25
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On the mountains, we captured a few coyotes, who prey on desperate migrants & charge them hefty sums to guide them to the border. Often times, they desert those migrants if they fear getting caught. Coyotes also commit assaults, rapes, & murders to these vulnerable individuals.
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- Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25
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One such example came midweek when I found a woman alone in the rugged AZ terrain and through our coordination,
@CBP was able to rescue her from dying alone in the desert.16 replies63 retweets171 likes
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- Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25
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@GovEvers, your guardsmen saved many lives and protected our country on this mission. Did you go visit them on the border to see for yourself? Or did you make your decision based solely on politics?61 replies112 retweets280 likes
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- Adam KinzingerVerified account @RepKinzinger Feb 25
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I’m grateful to my fellow Wisconsin Guard members, and I’m deeply disappointed you won’t let them do what they are trained to do for the good of the country.
@GovEvers, I hope you’ll reconsider.89 replies94 retweets299 likes
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