Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is poised to implement significant changes affecting retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, including the removal of his personal security detail and a review of his military rank.
According to The Hill, the Pentagon may also see the removal of Milley's portraits in a broader push to possibly demote him post-retirement.
Hegseth's forthcoming actions signify a notable departure in U.S. military protocol. Historically, high-ranking military officers like Milley, who have served in top positions such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair, retain certain privileges post-retirement, including a security detail and a security clearance. Milley has personally been under protection since 2020 following threats linked to geopolitical tensions with Iran.
Gen. Milley's tenure was marked by contentious incidents, notably during Trump's first term, which are now under scrutiny. His independent reassurances to Chinese officials, positioned to mitigate feared hostility from the U.S., were made without then-President Trump's knowledge. This action has fueled current criticisms and calls for a reevaluation of his rank and privileges.
The Trump administration has expressed a strong desire to see Milley’s military retirement status demoted. Recently inaugurated, Trump has not shied away from criticizing Milley publicly, going as far as labeling his actions as "treasonous" on social media platforms.
This is not the first time Trump has enacted similar changes against officials whom he views unfavorably. Previous actions were taken against other former officials, like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, who also saw their security details removed under Trump’s direct orders.
The first visual indication of the administration's disfavor came shortly after Trump's second inauguration when Milley’s portrait, showing him as Joint Chiefs Chair, was taken down. Another portrait located in the Army’s Marshall Corridor is scheduled for removal, underscoring the administration’s distancing from Milley.
The removal of the portraits is not an isolated incident but part of broader administrative changes directed by the Trump administration within the Pentagon. Acting upon directives, the Pentagon’s new acting Inspector General will review Milley’s actions during his term to determine if they justify a reduction in rank.
These unprecedented moves come despite former President Biden's preemptive pardon issued for Milley, which was meant to shield him from potential prosecution or military punishment related to his actions during Trump's presidency. This pardon, issued on Biden's last day in office, highlights the political undercurrents influencing military and national security decisions.
The proposals and actions taken by Hegseth align with a broader pattern of politicization within military ranks, an outcome that retired officers and analysts warn could undermine the apolitical nature of the U.S. military. Such decisions, while legally permissible, often stir significant controversy and debate regarding the balance between political authority and military governance.
The Inspector General’s review could potentially lead to Milley being stripped of one of his four stars, a symbolic and punitive measure reflecting perceived breaches in military conduct. The specifics of this review are not publicly disclosed, but they focus on Milley’s communication with Chinese officials without presidential consent.
Defense Department officials, adhering to a common practice in sensitive matters, have refrained from commenting on these developments. Similarly, the White House has not directly addressed the specifics of the measures being undertaken against Milley, reflecting possibly the sensitive nature of the situation and ongoing internal deliberations.
Throughout his career, Milley served prominently, first as Army Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019, before being elevated to Chair of the Joint Chiefs, a role he held until 2023. His leadership spanned crucial periods of U.S. military engagement abroad and pivotal moments in national security policy at home.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plans to revoke Gen. Mark Milley's security details and initiate a review of his rank mark a significant turnaround in traditional military honor and privileges for retired high-ranking officers. The removal of Milley's portraits from the Pentagon and the scrutiny over his actions signal deep political and military ramifications. As the review progresses, it will not only assess past actions but also set precedents for how senior military conduct is evaluated in politically charged environments.