Portrait of Pete Hegseth
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Pete Hegseth on General Milley

Aggressively critical (strong)

TL;DR

Pete Hegseth, as Defense Secretary, initiated actions to revoke General Milley's security detail and initiated an investigation into his conduct.

Key Points

  • Pete Hegseth ordered the revocation of General Milley's security detail and suspended his security clearance.

  • The Defense Secretary directed the Pentagon's inspector general to review Milley's conduct to determine if a demotion is warranted.

  • Hegseth's office cited that undermining the chain of command is corrosive to national security as the reason for the action.

Summary

Pete Hegseth, in his capacity as Defense Secretary, took punitive action against General Mark Milley, the retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by revoking his security clearance and protective detail. He simultaneously ordered the Pentagon's inspector general to conduct a review of Milley's conduct during his service to determine if a reduction in his military grade in retirement is warranted. The rationale cited by Hegseth's chief of staff was that undermining the chain of command is corrosive to national security and that restoring accountability is a priority for the Department of Defense under the current administration.

These actions against the former top uniformed officer were framed by Hegseth's office as a restoration of accountability, in contrast to Milley's outspoken criticism of his former Commander-in-Chief, which included remarks about a "wannabe dictator" at his retirement ceremony. The decision also involved removing Milley's Army chief of staff portrait from the Pentagon walls. The move by Hegseth followed calls from some lawmakers to investigate Milley for alleged misconduct, specifically concerning his actions perceived as undermining civilian control of the military.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pete Hegseth holds a strongly negative view of General Milley, demonstrated through official actions taken while serving as Defense Secretary. Hegseth initiated the removal of Milley's security protections and ordered an inquiry into his past conduct. This suggests Hegseth believes Milley's actions while Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were inappropriate.

Yes, Pete Hegseth took significant action against General Mark Milley. As Defense Secretary, he revoked the retired general's security detail and suspended his security clearance. Furthermore, Hegseth ordered the Pentagon's inspector general to review Milley's tenure to assess if demotion in retirement is appropriate.

The review was ordered because Hegseth's administration perceived that General Milley undermined the chain of command, which is viewed as detrimental to national security. The move sought to restore accountability within the Defense Department. This followed Milley's public criticisms of his former Commander-in-Chief.