Retired General Mark Milley’s security detail and clearance are being revoked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to multiple senior administration officials who spoke to Fox News. This decision follows concerns over actions Milley took which undermined the military’s chain of command during Donald Trump’s first presidency.
The move also involves the removal of a second portrait of Milley from the Pentagon, located in the Army’s Marshall Corridor, which honors his tenure as the Army’s Chief of Staff. This action is set to take place as soon as tonight, leaving no portraits of Milley within the building.
The first portrait of Milley was taken down from the Pentagon on Inauguration Day, shortly after President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
🚨REVOKED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken away General Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance and he may face a demotion in retirement. Milley said he would tell China ahead of time if the US was planning to attack, and had secret calls with China behind… pic.twitter.com/zYFXEnZs1M
— John Cremeans USA (@JohnCremeansUSA) January 28, 2025
The Pentagon’s Acting Inspector General has been instructed to conduct a review to decide if there is sufficient evidence to demote Milley by removing one of his stars in retirement. This review will focus on actions Milley took that were perceived to challenge the established command structure during Trump’s tenure.
Milley, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under both Trump and Biden, has been at the center of political controversy. Bob Woodward’s book “Peril” detailed Milley’s concerns about Trump’s mental stability and his control over nuclear weapons. Milley was praised by Trump for his role in the successful operation against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before the general’s duplicity was made known.
Furthermore, Woodward and Costa’s “Peril” highlighted Milley’s private communications with his Chinese counterpart to assure there were no plans for an attack from the U.S., aiming to de-escalate tensions during a volatile time.
The controversy extends beyond Milley; Trump has also revoked security clearances for 51 intelligence officials who signed a letter discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story.
The decision to pull security from Milley and other former Trump aides coincides with threats from Iran following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a drone strike ordered by Trump in 2020. This has led to discussions on the implications of such removals, with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton suggesting a revisit of the decision regarding the security details for former officials like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo.
This action by the Pentagon signifies a new era of accountability within the Department of Defense under Trump’s leadership, as articulated by an anonymous senior administration official to Fox News.
Article generated from corporate media reports.
