Kleefisch: Kenosha officer-involved shooting shows need for more police funding, added transparency

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch highlighted a "MAGA Meetup" at the Waukesha County Republican Party office Monday night, Aug. 24.

The Trump Victory campaign is hosting events in southeast Wisconsin every day of the RNC.

Kleefisch said defunding the police would result in more departments not having funding for body cameras, which the Kenosha Police Department does not have. She said equipment like that would provide more accountability during officer-involved shootings, like the one that took place in Kenosha Sunday.

“Body cameras are an essential component in assuring that we have accountability in law enforcement,” Kleefisch said of the event she referred to as "horrific."

The event was broadcast on Zoom for Republicans to watch at Trump campaign offices statewide. It also allowed volunteers to watch in person.

“I wanted to come here because I wanted to support Donald Trump," Trump campaign volunteer John Puchner said. "I’m not afraid of the virus. I think it’s been overblown.”

Local Republican leaders at the event said one of the president’s biggest advantages is the state economy.

“The stock market’s recovery, and the encouragement we see in investing back in the American economy is incredibly large,” State Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, said.

Milwaukee Republican Party Vice Chairman Chris Lawrence said Trump also has an advantage over Biden in coming to the state.

“Joe Biden didn’t show up to Milwaukee, Lawrence said. "That’s pretty embarrassing because Hillary Clinton didn’t show up to Milwaukee either. She didn’t show up to Wisconsin."

The other "MAGA Meetups" in southeast Wisconsin will take place in Milwaukee and Janesville.