Does Chicago need military intervention?

Interview
Written By David Petri

Maj. Gen. Bill Enyart (Ret.)

Illinois Public Media’s 21st Show

August 26, 2025

In this interview on Illinois Public Media’s 21st Show, retired Major General Bill Enyart discussed President Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. Enyart argued that such a move would misuse a valuable military asset, since the Guard is not trained for civilian law enforcement and Chicago is not experiencing the conditions—like rebellion or insurrection—that would legally justify federal deployment. He contrasted legitimate past uses of the Guard, such as supporting security during the 2012 NATO summit, with what he views as Trump’s political showmanship. Enyart agreed with Governor Pritzker’s assessment that Trump’s threats amount to a distraction and potential power grab, aimed more at scoring political points than improving public safety.

David Petri

Dave Petri is a marketing and sustainability professional with 30 years of leadership experience across multiple industries. Since 2010, Dave’s professional experience has primarily been in the Outdoor Industry, including industry-wide leadership roles. He launched Cynosura Consulting in 2019 and is the principal consultant, providing his expertise to various companies and organizations in the manufacturing, hospitality, and event management sectors.

https://www.cynosurallc.com
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