
A Wisconsin sheriff is sounding the alarm about the border crisis, emphasizing that the state could face severe consequences if Vice President Kamala Harris defeats President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt expressed this concern during a House Judiciary Committee hearing held in Milwaukee on Thursday, focusing on how the border situation has impacted Wisconsin communities.
Schmidt, who serves as the president of the Badger State Sheriffs Association, testified that crime rates are climbing across the state, and law enforcement agencies are struggling to manage their resources effectively. “If Trump doesn’t win this election, we are screwed,” Schmidt quoted one of his fellow Wisconsin sheriffs as saying. Another sheriff echoed these sentiments, stressing that “people don’t understand how bad it is.”
Schmidt spoke about his own county’s experience with rising drug trafficking activity linked to Mexican cartels. He shared his concerns, saying, “I’m fearful for my family. I’m fearful for the family of those that serve with me.” The sheriff highlighted the influx of cartel violence and drug trafficking, making it increasingly difficult for local law enforcement to maintain safety and order.
He also pointed out the challenges officers face when stopping individuals who have no valid identification or driver’s licenses. “I would love to put up a border around Dodge County or around the state of Wisconsin, but we need the federal government to do that at our southern border,” Schmidt stated. He emphasized that the fentanyl crisis is a severe problem, with 1,500 fentanyl-related deaths occurring in Wisconsin each year.
Schmidt expressed gratitude for Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who was present at the hearing, but criticized Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin for her absence, questioning why she did not attend the session to address the growing crisis.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney also testified, detailing the challenges his county faces. Toney explained that his county, with a population of about 100,000, is a major corridor for drug trafficking due to its highways. “We’ve seen seizure of drugs with quantities soaring like we have never seen before,” he stated.
Toney added that the increasing number of illegal immigrants being arrested and prosecuted for crimes is straining local resources. “Our jails sometimes operate at thin margins, and counties are having to consider building new facilities—not solely for this reason, but it is part of the problem,” he noted.
Republicans, including President Trump and Senate candidate Eric Hovde, have made the border crisis a central issue in their campaigns, highlighting the impact on states like Wisconsin and calling for more robust federal action.