A former head of the Illinois National Guard says he doesn’t want to see the state’s troops stationed on street corners in Chicago if their presence would stir up ill will.

“The last thing I want to see is people in uniform dragged into the mud because of politics,” said former Illinois Adjutant General Richard J. Hayes Jr.

“The military is the most highly revered organization in the nation,” he said. “Some people want the Guard on the street in Chicago, and some don’t. You are going to pit citizens against the military.”

Hayes’ comments to the Chicago Sun-Times came as President Donald Trump’s intentions remained uncertain about whether he’ll send national guard troops to Chicago to quell violence, which has already gone down sharply this year.

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