Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made the significant decision to revoke the security protections and clearance of retired Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley.
This move comes alongside an order for the Pentagon's inspector general to scrutinize Milley's conduct during his tenure as the nation's highest-ranking military officer, with the potential for a demotion on the table. This development was confirmed by two defense officials late Tuesday.
According to The Associated Press, the inspector general's review will delve into "the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milleys conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination," as stated by Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot. Furthermore, Ullyot noted, "The Secretary informed General Milley today that he is revoking the authorization for his security detail and suspending his security clearance as well."
Gen. Milley served as the chairman during President Donald Trump's first term. Initially, their relationship was amicable, but it quickly deteriorated as Milley attempted to advise and restrain the president on various issues. Notably, Milley opposed Trump's inclination to deploy military force domestically to suppress protests following George Floyd's death. Additionally, Milley found himself embroiled in controversy in 2021 when he independently contacted his Chinese counterpart. Trump labeled these calls as treasonous, though Milley defended them as routine and within his professional duties.
In the final days of his chairmanship, after Trump had left office, Milley remained vocal about his views on the former president. At his official retirement ceremony, he declared, "We dont take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator." He emphasized, "We dont take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and were willing to die to protect it."
Joe Kasper, Hegseth's chief of staff, explained the rationale behind the decision to revoke Milley's clearance and security detail, stating, "Undermining the chain of command is corrosive to our national security, and restoring accountability is a priority for the Defense Department under President Trumps leadership." This action underscores the administration's commitment to maintaining a disciplined and accountable military hierarchy.
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