Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the removal of security protection for retired General Mark Milley and is reviewing whether to demote the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump.
"Secretary Hegseth has announced the withdrawal of General Mark Milley's security detail and the suspension of his access to classified materials," Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot said on January 28. "The Secretary has also ordered a review of events and circumstances related to General Milley to determine whether a reduction in rank is warranted."
Longstanding Tensions with Trump
General Milley, who was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term, had a rocky relationship with the former president.
Trump was furious after Milley reportedly told journalist Bob Woodward that he viewed Trump as a "fascist" and a "dangerous man." Milley also revealed that he had made secret calls to his Chinese counterpart after the January 6 Capitol riot, assuring Beijing that the U.S. remained stable.
In response, Trump suggested that Milley would have faced the death penalty in the past.
Milley retired with the rank of four-star general, but that could change if Hegseth moves forward with a formal review of his service record. In a symbolic move, Milley's portrait at the Pentagon was removed on the day of Trump's inauguration.
Biden’s Last-Minute Pardon
The decision to remove Milley’s portrait came after former President Joe Biden issued a pardon for him and several other officials who had clashed with Trump in the past.
Biden explained that the pardon was meant to protect Milley and others from politically motivated prosecutions under the new administration.
Security Protections Cut for Other Officials
Milley is not the only former official targeted. Trump’s administration has also revoked security protection for:
- John Bolton – former National Security Advisor
- Mike Pompeo – former Secretary of State
- Brian Hook – former Senior Policy Advisor under Pompeo
- Anthony Fauci – former chief epidemiologist and COVID-19 advisor
(Sources: AFP, Reuters)