Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revoked retired General Mark Milley's security detail and clearance, ordering a Pentagon inspector general review to determine if a demotion is warranted. The review will focus on Milley's conduct as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including his independent calls to Chinese counterparts and his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump.
FILE - Retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appears before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Washington.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pulling the security protections and clearance of retired Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley, and has ordered the Pentagon's inspector general to review Milley's actions while serving as the nation's top uniformed officer to determine if a demotion is warranted, two defense officials confirmed late Tuesday. The inspector general review will include “an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milley’s conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination,” said Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot. “The Secretary informed General Milley today that he is revoking the authorization for his security detail and suspending his security clearance as well," he said. Milley served as chairman during President Donald Trump's first term in office. While the relationship initially went well, it soured deeply and fast, as Milley tried to advise and contain the president on a host of issues. He pushed back on the president's interest in using force domestically to quell protestors after the death of George Floyd, and was at the center of a controversy in 2021 when he made independent calls to his Chinese counterpart. Trump called the calls an act of treason, but at the time Milley said the calls were routine and part of the scope of his job. Milley in his final days as chairman after Trump had left office was equally outspoken about his former boss. He said at his official retirement ceremony “ we don’t take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator.” “We don’t take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it," he said at the time. Hegseth's chief of staff Joe Kasper said that the decision to strip Milley of his clearance and detail was taken because "undermining the chain of command is corrosive to our national security, and restoring accountability is a priority for the Defense Department under President Trump’s leadership.” The moves, which were first reported by Fox News, may also include taking down Milley's Army chief of staff portrait. Milley's chairman portrait was stripped from the wall just hours after Trump was sworn in. The portraits were both paid for by a donation from the Association of the United States Army, not taxpayer dollars, and were a gift to Milley honoring his service.
MILLEY DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PENTAGON TRUMP SECURITY CLEARANCE
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hegseth to Investigate Milley, Cancel Security DetailDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to investigate former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and potentially have him demoted in rank. Hegseth will also direct the Pentagon's acting investigator general to launch an investigation into whether Milley should be demoted.
Read more »
Hegseth to Strip Milley Security Detail, Review Retirement StatusDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth will take action against retired General Mark Milley, removing his security detail and initiating a review to potentially revoke his star due to alleged chain-of-command violations during Trump's presidency.
Read more »
Hegseth Revokes Milley's Security Detail, Suspends Clearance Amid Chain of Command ConcernsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revoked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Army Gen. Mark Milley's personal security detail and suspended his security clearance. Hegseth is also directing a review board to determine if Milley should keep his rank due to allegations of undermining the chain of command during the Trump administration.
Read more »
Trump Administration Revokes Security Protections for Retired General Mark MilleyThe Trump administration has revoked security protections and clearance for retired Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley, citing concerns about his conduct while in office. The Pentagon's inspector general will review Milley's actions to determine if a demotion is warranted.
Read more »
Hegseth Strips Milley of Security and Orders ReviewDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth revokes security clearance and detail of retired Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, citing undermining of the chain of command. Pentagon inspector general ordered to review Milley's actions while chairman.
Read more »
Hegseth Revokes Milley's Security, Orders Review of ActionsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth is stripping retired Gen. Mark Milley of his security protections and clearance, and ordering a review of his actions as Joint Chiefs chairman to determine if a demotion is warranted. The Pentagon inspector general will investigate Milley's conduct, focusing on his calls to Chinese counterparts and his perceived undermining of the chain of command.
Read more »