A new book details the lengths Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley went to undermine the civilian authority of the Trump administration. Republican lawmakers are calling for Milley’s resignation.
Summary
According to a new book by Bob Woodward and Washington Post reporter Robert Costa, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley secretly contacted his Communist Chinese counterpart in an effort to “avert armed conflict” with China.
- Milley allegedly wanted to “limit Trump’s ability” to use nuclear weapons against China, citing what Milley “questioned Trump’s mental state” in the weeks after the election.
- Reports state Milley pledged to warn Chinese Gen. Li Zuocheng first if Trump were to order an attack, saying “I’m going to call you ahead of time. It’s not going to be a surprise.”
- Milley also secretly contacted the Chinese government after the Jan. 6 incident on the Capitol in which members of a pro-Trump mob forced their way into the building, reassuring them that everything was fine.
- Trump blasted the report, saying the alleged incident was “fake news” and that if it were true, “dumbass” Milley should be tried for treason for conspiring with China.
- MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow defended Milley, saying he felt the need to assuage China due to what she and other liberals considered “Trump’s instability”, while separate reporting glowingly called Milley “the last guardrail.”
- Newsweek reported on a list of Republican lawmakers calling for Milley’s resignation and accusing him of treason for his back-channel talks with his Chinese counterparts, quoting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio telling President Biden to immediately fire Milley for threatening to “tear apart our nation’s longstanding principle of civilian control of the military.”
- CNN’s coverage of the Woodward-Costa book detailed more anecdotes than just the controversial Milley story, and referenced Trump’s CIA Director as having similar concerns as Milley.
- Fox News reported on Newsmax’s interview with former President Trump, in which he argued Milley’s account of what happened is false and that he “never even thought of attacking China-and China knows that.”
- The Washington Examiner reported on comments from retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the officer whose concerns over Trump’s call with the president of Ukraine sparked an impeachment trial, criticizing Gen. Milley and saying he must resign for having “usurped civilian authority”.
- Breitbart highlighted Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s statement that Milley should be court-martialed if the allegation is true.
Author’s Take
That there are any voices in the media protecting or defending Gen. Milley is surprising. But the most anti-Trump journalists and commentators are apparently willing to break every institutional norm they pretend to hold dear if it means scoring points on and denigrating Trump.
Return to Freespoke 
© Dallas Gerber, 2021
