It doesn’t get clearer than this, folks. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt issued a stark warning at a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Milwaukee: if Vice President Kamala Harris wins over former President Donald Trump this November, Wisconsin—and the entire nation—is in for a world of hurt. Schmidt, who heads the Badger State Sheriffs Association, pulled no punches about the spike in crime and strain on resources facing law enforcement across Wisconsin, all thanks to a border crisis that’s bringing real consequences right into America’s heartland.
“If Trump doesn’t win this election, we are screwed,” Schmidt relayed, repeating the words of a fellow Wisconsin sheriff. The sentiment isn’t unique; many law enforcement officials are seeing the damage firsthand and are deeply concerned about the consequences if the current administration’s lax border policies continue.
The impact? It’s more than theory—it’s about the lives of people right here in Wisconsin. Schmidt testified that Dodge County and other communities are now grappling with a sharp increase in drug trafficking, much of it linked directly to Mexican cartels emboldened by weak border security. “I’m fearful for my family. I’m fearful for the family of those that serve with me,” Schmidt admitted, underscoring the rising threat of cartel violence and drug trafficking infiltrating small-town America.
On top of the drug crisis, there’s another major headache: the alarming number of people on Wisconsin roads without valid licenses or identification. According to Schmidt, this uptick adds strain to already thinly-stretched resources. His wish? “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.” The numbers tell the real story—Wisconsin is losing 1,500 lives each year to fentanyl poisoning. It’s a crisis no state can ignore.
Schmidt had strong words of appreciation for Senator Ron Johnson, who took time to attend the hearing. But Senator Tammy Baldwin was conspicuously absent. “Where was she?” Schmidt asked, disappointed by the Democrat senator’s no-show at a hearing addressing issues critical to her own state.
District Attorney Eric Toney from Fond du Lac County echoed Schmidt’s concerns, sharing how his county—home to just 100,000 people—has been overwhelmed by drug trafficking. Major highways running through the area have made it an unwelcome hub for drug cartels, and Toney says the quantity of drugs seized now is beyond anything they’ve seen before. But it’s not just drugs; it’s the cost of prosecuting more illegal immigrants involved in these criminal activities. Toney’s county jail system is already running on thin margins, and now, counties across the state are facing the prospect of building new facilities to handle the overflow—a significant burden on Wisconsin taxpayers.
It’s no wonder that border security has become a key talking point for Republicans heading into the 2024 election. Both Donald Trump and Senate hopeful Eric Hovde are pushing hard on the issue, and with testimonies like these, it’s clear why. This isn’t just a political talking point—it’s a fight for public safety, economic stability, and the very future of communities across Wisconsin.
Sheriff Schmidt’s warning rings loud and clear: Harris may have Washington’s backing, but Wisconsin sheriffs are looking out for the people on the ground. The choice for voters this November couldn’t be more obvious.
