Immediately upon entering his second term, President Trump, through newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, executed a move widely viewed as retaliatory: revoking the security clearance and personal security detail of General Mark Milley.
This is far from a mere administrative procedure. General Milley currently faces credible assassination threats from Iran due to his prior military roles. Removing his protection not only humiliates the retired four-star general but also places his life in significant danger. Hegseth justified the action by citing “violations of the chain of command” during Trump’s first term.
Refusing to stay silent, General Milley issued a scathing statement, calling Trump a “fascist traitor” who is undermining the military for personal vengeance. He asserted that Trump’s actions pose a greater danger to the United States than any foreign adversary.
It is worth noting that before leaving office, President Biden issued a pre-emptive pardon for Milley to protect him from the political prosecutions Trump had repeatedly threatened. Unable to bring Milley to court, Trump has instead targeted his privileges and personal safety.
This deep-seated animosity has been simmering since 2020:
- The Lafayette Square Incident: Milley apologized for appearing in a photo op with Trump after protesters were forcibly cleared with tear gas, an act Trump viewed as ultimate disloyalty.
- The China Calls: Following the events of January 6th, Milley called his Chinese counterpart to reassure them that the U.S. was not planning a surprise attack. Trump labeled this “treason” and suggested the punishment should be death.
- The Oath to the Constitution: During his retirement ceremony, Milley made a viral statement: “We do not take an oath to a king, a tyrant, or a wannabe dictator. We take an oath to the Constitution”.
This conflict is creating severe consequences for the Trump administration:
- Erosion of Military Trust: Support for Trump among military families and veterans is declining as they witness a veteran general being mistreated for personal reasons.
- Democratic Momentum: Opposition leaders are utilizing Milley’s statements in campaign ads, calling Trump the “Traitor-in-Chief” and using it as evidence for removal under the 25th Amendment.
- Congressional Divide: Lawmakers from both parties, led by Senator Jack Reed, are demanding the restoration of Milley’s security detail, calling Trump’s actions an abuse of power.
Conclusion: The confrontation between Trump and Milley is not just personal drama; it is a crisis of institutional legitimacy. When a President prioritizes personal loyalty over the law and uses national security tools for private revenge, he risks isolating himself from the very forces sworn to protect the country. This battle has only just begun and promises to intensify as the midterm elections approach.
