A tense confrontation unfolds between former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark A. Milley and the new Trump administration's Pentagon leadership.
According to The Washington Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the removal of Milley's security detail, suspended his security clearance, and launched an inspector general investigation into his conduct during his tenure as the Pentagon's highest-ranking military officer.
The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between Milley and President Donald Trump, following years of public criticism from Trump regarding Milley's perceived disloyalty. Milley, who retired in 2023 after serving as chairman under both Trump and Biden administrations, had previously acknowledged his role as a source for several books that portrayed Trump unfavorably.
The Pentagon's latest actions are part of Hegseth's broader initiative to restore what officials describe as "warfighter culture" within the department. Senior defense officials, speaking anonymously, revealed plans to potentially demote Milley in retirement, symbolically "taking a star" from the former general.
Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot confirmed that Hegseth personally informed Milley of these decisions on Tuesday. The investigation will examine Milley's conduct to determine whether his military grade review determination should be reopened.
The administration has already taken symbolic steps against Milley, including the removal of his chairman portrait from Pentagon walls. Officials confirmed plans to remove another portrait commemorating his service as Army Chief of Staff.
The decision to revoke Milley's security detail mirrors similar actions taken against other former Trump administration officials, including Mike Pompeo and John Bolton. These moves come despite ongoing concerns about potential assassination attempts by Iran, particularly related to the 2020 killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
Senior defense official Joe Kasper said that undermining the chain of command threatens national security. The administration emphasizes accountability as a key priority under Trump's leadership.
Democratic Senator Jack Reed expressed grave concerns about the decision, noting the continuing Iranian threats against Milley and other officials who carried out Trump's order to kill Soleimani.
The deterioration of Milley's relationship with Trump began in June 2020 during nationwide protests following George Floyd's murder. Milley's subsequent apology for appearing with Trump during a controversial photo opportunity marked a turning point in their relationship.
Milley told Bob Woodward:
No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump. Now I realize he's a total fascist. He is the most dangerous person to this country.
The situation escalated when Milley made two calls to Chinese officials to ensure stability during the final days of Trump's first term. Although these calls were coordinated with Trump administration officials, they became a source of controversy when revealed in Woodward's book.
The recent actions against Mark A. Milley represent an unprecedented move by the Trump administration to penalize a former Joint Chiefs chairman. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decisions to remove Milley's security detail, suspend his clearance, and investigate his past conduct mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Trump and his former top military advisor. Despite receiving a preemptive pardon from former President Biden, Milley now faces potential administrative consequences as the Pentagon tests the limits of its authority to impose penalties through departmental processes.
