'Sirs, They’re Arresting Me!' — Kenosha Man Pulled From Podium At County Meeting

KENOSHA, WI — A man pulled from a podium by sheriff’s deputies while attempting to address elected officials at a public meeting in Kenosha County now faces multiple charges, records show.

Joel Trudell attended Tuesday’s County Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss multiple proposals, including one that would allow legal firearms to be carried within county buildings and grounds.

Trudell began by detailing how local Republican organizations had donated a combined $4,400 to the campaigns of four board members “to purchase influence.” Then, a fellow meeting attendee walked by Trudell, passing him closely, as shown in a recording published on the county’s YouTube channel.

“I guess it’s a good thing we weren’t concealed carry,” Trudell remarked. “I could have taken that as a threat, huh?”

Chairman Gabe Nudo interjected with a bang of the gavel.

“That was uncalled for,” Nudo said.

“Well, it’s the truth,” Trudell replied. “I’m sorry, Mr. Nudo, I will share your campaign information in a bit.”

“You can do whatever you want, but just be civil and don’t make a derogatory comment,” Nudo cautioned.

“These are my comments, sir,” Trudell said.

“One more word and you’re going to go out,” Nudo warned.

“Are you afraid of the public’s comments, sir?” Trudell asked. “I would like my time back.”

“Your time is out,” Nudo said.

“No, it is not,” Trudell responded.

When Nudo introduced the public comment session nearly an hour earlier, he noted each speaker would have five minutes to talk. A full five minutes had not elapsed when Nudo told Trudell his time was up.

On the recording, someone can be heard calling “point of order” to Nudo as sheriff’s deputies approach the podium and attempt to remove Trudell.

“No, sir, I am being defended,” Trudell said to the deputies.

“Sir, don’t make it any harder,” a deputy said to Trudell.

“Sirs, they’re arresting me, sirs,” Trudell shouted as he was pulled from the podium toward the floor. “Get the (expletive) off of me. What is going on? I’m trying to talk.”

In the seconds that followed, chants of “let him speak” and “shame” were audible.

“Somebody call 911,” one meeting attendee said, as several others pulled out their phones and appeared to record the incident.

At that point, the board abruptly adjourned the meeting by a narrow margin, with 12 supporting the prompt dismissal and 11 opposed.

While the meeting ended quickly, the evening was far from over for Trudell, who spent the night in county jail, according to sheriff’s department records. The 43-year-old Kenosha resident has posted bond and is charged with resisting an officer and disorderly conduct, department records said.