City leaders receive more information on federal agents coming to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Several leaders from around Milwaukee met virtually on Monday, July 27 to talk about federal agents coming to the city.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm was on hand to answer questions.

He explained the agents that are coming to Milwaukee are investigative agents, but at the same time, he told city leaders to remain skeptical and vigilant as the operation rolls out.

It expands on an existing program providing more federal agents to assist in Milwaukee Police investigations, meaning there are already some federal agents in the city and more coming.

Authorities said Milwaukee was chosen because of its high violent crime rates.

"The agents that are coming to Milwaukee are investigative agents, they are absolutely required to follow constitutional procedures, their actions have to be reviewed at the next level," Chisholm said.

Authorities said the agents will not be on the ground responding to protesters like they were in Portland. However, some city leaders remain unsure about the operation.

"I’ll be the one to say it, just a lack of trust. It’s the lack of trust of really our own federal government," District 14 Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic said.

Chisholm said more information and clarity on the operation will be provided this week by the U.S. Attorney's Office.