Amy Swearer: Race-baiting Kyle Rittenhouse narratives don’t survive scrutiny Dec 17, 2021 Dec 17, 2021 Updated Apr 29, 2026 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Amy Swearer kAm%96 24BF:EE2= @7 zJ=6 #:EE6?9@FD6 =2DE >@?E9 @? 492C86D C6=2E65 E@ 9:D pF8] ad[ a_a_[ D9@@E:?8 @7 E9C66 H9:E6 >6? 5FC:?8 2 492@E:4 ?:89E @7 56DECF4E:G6 4:G:= F?C6DE :? z6?@D92 D9@F=5 92G6 DFCAC:D65 ?@ @?6 H9@ H2E4965 E96 EC:2= H:E9 2? @A6? >:?5 2?5 2 32D:4 F?56CDE2?5:?8 @7 D6=7\5676?D6 =2HD] *6E 4@F?E=6DD 3=F6\4964< AF?5:ED @? D@4:2= >65:2 =@DE E96:C 4@==64E:G6 >:?5D :? 2 C246\32:E:?8 82>6 @7 “(92E :7 #:EE6?9@FD6 H6C6 3=24<n”k^AmkAm%96 9@E E2<6D 23@F?565] $@>6 9:89=J 7@==@H65 4@>>6?E2E@CD H6?E D@ 72C 2D E@ 6IA=:4:E=J 2DD6CE E92E ?@ A6CD@? @7 4@=@C 4@F=5 6G6C :?E6?E:@?2==J D9@@E D@>6@?6 2?5 36 24BF:EE65 @? 8C@F?5D @7 =2H7F= D6=7\5676?D6]k^Am kAm%96 :562 E92E D6=7\5676?D6 :D 2 =682= ;FDE:7:42E:@? =2C86=J 7@C H9:E6 p>6C:42?D 2?5 E92E ?@ ;FCJ H@F=5 6G6C 24BF:E 5676?52?ED @7 4@=@C H9@ 4=2:> E96J 24E65 :? D6=7\5676?D6 :D 23DFC5=J C65F4E:G6]k^Am People are also reading… Lake Geneva holds off vote on proposed supper club Plans presented to demolish downtown Lake Geneva building Milwaukee Brewers partner with new boutique in Lake Geneva Lake Geneva Cruise Line conducts mailboat jumper tryouts Packers offensive lineman confident heading into 3rd year with position change Robert G. Betzer Man shoots deputy at Dodge County dog park, then fatally shoots himself, police say Lake Geneva considers changes to city’s tourism commission Walworth County duo delivers equipment to Ukrainian troops How did Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby get to 10-0 already? Here's an in-depth look Garth Brooks gives Summerfest 2026 in Milwaukee a thrilling kickoff Here's who’s running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 These brands pulled back on Pride. It could cost them. Here's why Lakeland Health Care Center renovations completed Gage Marine acquires Norton’s on Green Lake supper club kAmxE’D 2=D@ 62D:=J 5:DAC@G23=6 H:E9 2 32D:4 v@@8=6 D62C49]k^Am State & Regional Kyle Rittenhouse verdict sends a chilling message to Wisconsin and the rest of the country Wisconsin State Journal editorial board kAmr@?D:56C ;FDE D@>6 @7 E96 >2?J ?@?\H9:E6 5676?52?ED 24BF:EE65 @7 >FC56C @C 2EE6>AE65 >FC56C :? C646?E J62CD 3642FD6 @7 DF446DD7F= D6=7\5676?D6 4=2:>Dik^AmkF=mk=:m%@?J qC:DE@=i p ;FCJ 24BF:EE65 qC:DE@= @? 2== 492C86D 27E6C 96 72E2==J D9@E @?6 >2? 2?5 H@F?565 2?@E96C 2E 2 ?:89E4=F3] %96 AC@D64FE:@? 2C8F65 E92E qC:DE@= :?E6?E:@?2==J 2C>65 9:>D6=7 H:E9 2 8F? ;FDE 367@C6 E96 4@?7C@?E2E:@? 2?5 D9@E E96 EH@ F?2C>65 >6? — @?6 :? E96 324< — @G6C 2 =@?8DE2?5:?8 :?E6CA6CD@?2= 5:DAFE6] qC:DE@= 2C8F65 E92E 96 D9@E :? D6=7\5676?D6 27E6C E96 >6? E9C62E6?65 9:>[ 2?5 E92E 96 C62D@?23=J 36=:6G65 E96J H6C6 2C>65 2?5 A@D65 2? :>>:?6?E 52?86C]k^=:mk=:m$E6A96? $A6?46Ci p 4@?462=65 42CCJ A6C>:E 9@=56C[ $A6?46C H2D 24BF:EE65 3J 2 >@DE=J H9:E6 ;FCJ H9@ 36=:6G65 96 72E2==J D9@E 2 H9:E6 >2? :? D6=7\5676?D6 5FC:?8 2 C246\C6=2E65 5:DAFE6]k^=:mk=:my2C@? |@@C6i |@@C6 25>:EE65 E@ 72E2==J D9@@E:?8 #68:?2=5 uC2?< 7@==@H:?8 2? 2C8F>6?E 2E uC2?<’D 9@>6[ 3FE 4=2:>65 96 24E65 :? D6=7\5676?D6 27E6C uC2?< AC@5F465 2 8F?] %96 ;FCJ 24BF:EE65 |@@C6 56DA:E6 E96 AC@D64FE:@?’D 2C8F>6?E E92E uC2?< H2D F?2C>65 2?5 E92E |@@C6 H2D E96 :?:E:2= 288C6DD@C H9@ “H6?E E@ E96 G:4E:>’D 9@>6 E@ :?;64E 9:>D6=7 :?E@ 2? 2C8F>6?E 96 5:5?’E 36=@?8 :?]”k^=:mk=:my6DFD {:>2i !C@D64FE@CD 2C8F65 E92E E96 `g\J62C\@=5 {:>2 H2D E96 :?:E:2= 288C6DD@C H9@ <?@H:?8=J 3C@F89E 2 8F? E@ 2 4@?7C@?E2E:@? @FED:56 @7 2 =:BF@C DE@C6 :? H9:49 96 72E2==J D9@E 2?@E96C >2?[ 2?5 E92E 96 925 AC6G:@FD=J E9C62E6?65 @?6 @7 E96 >6? :?G@=G65 :? E96 4@?7C@?E2E:@?] w6 H2D ?@?6E96=6DD 24BF:EE65 27E6C E6DE:7J:?8 E92E 96 H2D 2EE24<65 3J 2 8C@FA @7 7:G6 >6? 2?5 C6EC62E65 7@C @G6C a_ J2C5D 367@C6 5C2H:?8 9:D 8F?]k^=:mk^F=m kAmp55:E:@?2= 6I2>A=6D @7 6I@?6C2E65 5676?52?ED 23@F?5i }696>:29 |2CE:? WpAC:= a_a`X[ z2G2?E6 (C:89E WyF?6 a_a`X[ z6??6E9 #2J $>:E9 W~4E@36C a_a`X 2?5 s6>2C4FD v=6?? W~4E@36C a_a`X E@ ?2>6 2 76H]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAmp?5 E9:D :D E@ D2J ?@E9:?8 @7 E96 C646?E 2?5 C625:=J C6D62C4923=6 42D6D H96C6 5676?52?ED @7 4@=@C H6C6 492C865 H:E9 D6C:@FD 76=@?:6D[ 3FE 925 E9@D6 492C86D 5C@AA65 3J AC@D64FE@CD =@?8 367@C6 EC:2= 3642FD6 E96 DE2E6 36=:6G65 :E 4@F=5?’E 5:DAC@G6 2 4=2:> @7 D6=7\5676?D6 — 5676?52?ED DF49 2D p;2J p=G2C6K W|2J a_a`X[ #@36CE r96DD6C W$6AE6>36C a_a`X 2?5 y2H2F? %9@>AD@? WyF?6 a_a`X]k^Am kAmx7 E96 E2=<:?8 9625D @7 D@4:2= >65:2 2C6?’E 2H2C6 @7 E96D6 42D6D[ :E’D 92C5=J DFCAC:D:?8 E92E E96J’C6 F?2H2C6 @7 E96 >2?J 42D6D H96C6 H9:E6 5676?52?ED 5:5 ?@E DF446DD7F==J “86E 2H2J H:E9 >FC56C” 3J “;FDE 4=2:>:?8 D6=7\5676?D6]”k^Am kAmxC@?:42==J[ ;FDE 2 H66< 27E6C E96 #:EE6?9@FD6 G6C5:4E[ 2 ;FCJ :? v6@C8:2 4@?G:4E65 E9C66 H9:E6 >6? @7 >FC56C :? E96 D9@@E:?8 562E9 @7 p9>2F5 pC36CJ[ 2 3=24< >2?[ 5:D4@F?E:?8 E96:C 4=2:> @7 D6=7\5676?D6] %9:D :D 72C 7C@> E96 @?=J C646?E 6I2>A=6 @7 H9:E6 5676?52?ED F?DF446DD7F==J C2:D:?8 4=2:>D @7 D6=7\5676?D6[ :?4=F5:?8 282:?DE 3=24< G:4E:>Dik^Am kF=mk=:mp?E9@?J y2>6D %C:7:=6EE:i %96 ac\J62C\@=5 %C:77:=6EE: H2D 4@?G:4E65 @7 >FC56C 7@C 72E2==J D9@@E:?8 2 3=24< >2? 27E6C 2 >:?@C EC277:4 244:56?E] %C:7:==6E: 4=2:>65 96 24E65 :? D6=7\5676?D6 2?5 762C65 E96 >2? — H9@ H2D F=E:>2E6=J F?2C>65 — H2D C6249:?8 7@C 2 8F?]k^=:mk=:m|:4926= |4z:??6Ji p H9:E6 pC>J G6E6C2? H2D D6?E6?465 E@ @G6C 2 564256 :? AC:D@? 7@C D9@@E:?8 2?5 H@F?5:?8 2 q=24< E66?286 8:C= H96? 96 7:C65 :?E@ 2 G69:4=6 6?4:C4=65 3J A@=:E:42= C2==J A2CE:4:A2?ED] %96 >2? :?:E:2==J 4=2:>65 96 “76=E 96 H2D :? 52?86C” 2?5 H2D >6C6=J AC@E64E:?8 9:>D6=7]k^=:mk=:m|:4926= sC6;<2i p ;FCJ 4@?G:4E65 sC6;<2 @7 >2?D=2F89E6C 7@C 72E2==J D9@@E:?8 |2C<6:D |4v=@4<E@?[ 2 3=24< >2?[ 5FC:?8 2 4@?7C@?E2E:@? @G6C 2 5:D23=65 A2C<:?8 DA@E] sC6;<2 4=2:>65 96 24E65 :? D6=7\5676?D6 27E6C 2? F?2C>65 |4v=@4<E@? D9@G65 9:> E@ E96 8C@F?5 2?5 DE6AA65 E@H2C5 9:>]k^=:mk^F=m kAm%96 p>6C:42? 4C:>:?2= ;FDE:46 DJDE6> :D :>A6C764E] qFE D:>A=:DE:4[ C246\32:E:?8 ?2CC2E:G6D 23@FE D6=7\5676?D6 4=2:>D 5:DEC24E 7C@> C62= AC@3=6>D 2?5 C24:2= 5:DA2C:E:6D]k^Am State & Regional Kenosha cops weren't wearing cameras. Neither do Madison police. That needs to change. Wisconsin State Journal editorial board kAmp 3=24< zJ=6 #:EE6?9@FD6[ EC:65 F?56C E9@D6 D2>6 4:C4F>DE2?46D 2?5 H:E9 2== C6=6G2?E :?E6C24E:@?D 6BF2==J 42F89E @? G:56@[ G6CJ =:<6=J C2:D6D 2 DF446DD7F= 4=2:> @7 D6=7\5676?D6 — 2 ;FDE:7:42E:@? 6?E:C6=J H2CC2?E65 F?56C E96 =2H[ 32D65 @? E96 6G:56?46]k^AmkAmx? 2 D6?D:3=6 H@C=5[ H6 H@F=5 2E =62DE 24<?@H=6586 E9:D[ 2?5 DE@A 56>28@8F:?8 DF446DD7F= D6=7\5676?D6 4=2:>D 32D65 @? E96 5676?52?E’D C246]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^5d6be_bg\b3`a\d`__\332e\cb`h5h`_h_74Qmr6?E6C $E286 H:E9 |:=7C65 2?5 w2?5Dk^2mk^Am Swearer is a legal fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies: heritage.org. Locations Madison Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story 7 lessons about US gun laws from the Rittenhouse verdict and Arbery murder — John Donohue As the country awaits a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a New York state case that may create a federal constitutional right to carry guns outs… Ion Meyn: What the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict means for carrying open firearms in Wisconsin If an unarmed protester fails to submit to an armed civilian’s order to halt, can he shoot? It seems so. Laura Williamson: Don't like the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict? What about a Black man defending himself from a racist outside a bar? The Kyle Rittenhouse trial is a case study in why public opinion doesn’t (and shouldn’t) matter in a court of law. Everyone, white or Black, s… Ruben Navarrette: Conservatives who support Kyle Rittenhouse no longer know what they believe Why don't they apply the same logic they use for the human tragedy at the U.S.-Mexico border?
State & Regional Kyle Rittenhouse verdict sends a chilling message to Wisconsin and the rest of the country Wisconsin State Journal editorial board
State & Regional Kenosha cops weren't wearing cameras. Neither do Madison police. That needs to change. Wisconsin State Journal editorial board
7 lessons about US gun laws from the Rittenhouse verdict and Arbery murder — John Donohue As the country awaits a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a New York state case that may create a federal constitutional right to carry guns outs…
Ion Meyn: What the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict means for carrying open firearms in Wisconsin If an unarmed protester fails to submit to an armed civilian’s order to halt, can he shoot? It seems so.
Laura Williamson: Don't like the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict? What about a Black man defending himself from a racist outside a bar? The Kyle Rittenhouse trial is a case study in why public opinion doesn’t (and shouldn’t) matter in a court of law. Everyone, white or Black, s…
Ruben Navarrette: Conservatives who support Kyle Rittenhouse no longer know what they believe Why don't they apply the same logic they use for the human tragedy at the U.S.-Mexico border?