Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided to remove Gen. Mark A. Milley’s security detail, revoke his security clearance, and order an inspector general inquiry into his record. The move is seen as a way to examine whether it is appropriate to review the general’s rank upon his retirement.
According to Pentagon officials, General Milley’s actions as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were seen as insubordinate and undermined the chain of command. Undermining the chain of command is viewed as corrosive to national security, and the Defense Department under President Trump’s leadership is prioritizing accountability.
General Milley stepped down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2023, and during his farewell ceremony, he reminded troops that they took an oath to the Constitution, not to a king, queen, tyrant, or dictator. President Trump had previously suggested that General Milley should be put to death and received a pre-emptive pardon from President Joe R. Biden just hours before he left office.
As a result of the pardon, General Milley cannot be court-martialed, but a finding against him could lead to a decision to reduce his rank, even in retirement. The general had been assigned a government security detail due to ongoing threats from the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassim Suleimani, as well as other factors.
The move comes amid a backdrop of controversy surrounding General Milley’s actions, including his decision to walk alongside Trump in 2020 during a photo op in front of the Washington Monument, and his reported concerns about Trump’s possible attempt to stage a coup after the 2020 election. General Milley was also criticized by Trump supporters over his contacts with his Chinese counterpart during the first Trump administration.
