Gov. Pritzker Holds Press Conference with Veterans to Condemn Militarization of U.S. Cities
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker convened a press conference with retired generals, admirals, and veterans to address the Trump administration’s plan to deploy federal troops in American cities.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker held a press conference with retired generals, admirals, and veterans to address the Trump administration’s controversial plans to deploy federal troops and the National Guard in American cities, including Chicago. Speaking on the militarization of U.S. cities, the leaders emphasized that the military is trained for combat and disaster response — not community policing. They warned that using troops for domestic law enforcement against the wishes of local leaders threatens democratic norms, undermines public trust, and puts service members and civilians at risk.
This is the full press conference.
Key Statements from the Press Conference
Gov. JB Pritzker:
“One thing is evident. This effort to deploy troops in American cities is not normal. There is no rational justification for such a deployment. Illinois is not a place you can conquer and our people are not your subjects. Period.”Major General William L. Enyart, USA (Ret):
“Our National Guard members are trained to defend our nation and to respond to natural disasters. They are not policemen. They are not political pawns. They are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, teachers, farmers, mechanics, carpenters, and students. They deserve to be treated with the respect they have earned.”Major General Randy Manor, USA (Ret):
“Every day that a soldier spends sitting in Washington, DC or Los Angeles guarding a building is a day they are not training for their job as a soldier. Their ethos was not shaped for inner city checkpoint enforcement. Misusing them in this way risks escalation that puts both service members and civilians in harm’s way.”Major General Paul Eaton, USA (Ret):
“We must also not lose sight of the human dimension at the heart of this mission. The people being targeted are not faceless threats. Many of them are mothers, fathers, workers, veterans, longstanding contributors to our economy and society.”Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, USA (Ret):
“The president has planted the perception that the military is not neutral, not apolitical, not above the fray, but that it is part of his personal political tool. That perception corrodes recruitment, retention, willingness to serve, and the moral reserve we expect from our armed forces.”Rear Admiral Michael Smith, USN (Ret):
“It offends me as a soldier that ICE agents are cosplaying, pretending to be soldiers. They are not trained soldiers, and for them to be wearing the same uniform is a smirch on the National Guard’s reputation.”
