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General Mark Milley Bids Farwell: Staunchly Upholding Democracy Amidst Political Storms
As he culminated his impactful four-year tenure as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley didn’t mince words during a grand ceremony held at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. While he refrained from naming the former president, Donald Trump, his passionate emphasis on the U.S. military’s commitment to defending the Constitution “against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic” was unmissable.
Milley fervently remarked, “We don’t swear allegiance to any individual or a would-be dictator. Our pledge is to the Constitution and the very essence of America, and we stand ready to lay down our lives for it.”
Looking back on his service, Milley’s journey of over four decades in the military included multiple combat assignments and two particularly eventful years serving as the Joint Chiefs chairman under the Trump administration. This phase and the challenges he navigated with Trump were evident undertones in his parting speech and resonated in other addresses during the ceremony.
During his time as chairman, Milley often found himself countering many of Trump’s strategies. This included opposing Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Iraq and Syria and resisting the deployment of active-duty troops on Washington streets during racial protests. Multiple publications have painted a picture of Milley’s apprehensions regarding Trump’s role as the commander in chief and his anxieties over potential attempts to misuse the military during President Joe Biden’s election.
Trump’s recent diatribe against Milley, labeling him a “Woke train wreck” and hinting at treacherous actions in historical terms, has led Milley to bolster security measures for his family.
Speaking at the same ceremony, President Biden extolled Milley’s unwavering defense of the Constitution, referring to it as “Mark’s guiding light.” He commended the general’s stability in steering the military amidst a complicated national security landscape.
The commemoration, just on the outskirts of Washington, was a blend of spirited enthusiasm and solemnity. It was adorned with marching bands, troop salutes, and memorable speeches. As Milley’s term as chairman concludes, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown is set to assume the role. After nearly 44 years of distinguished service, Milley is charting into retirement.
The Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, reminisced about his shared combat experiences with Milley. With a playful grin, he regaled the audience with a tale from the Iraq War, where a trip with Milley on Baghdad’s perilous Route Irish led to an explosive encounter. Austin humorously recounted, “When I inquired if such incidents were a regular occurrence for him, Mark nonchalantly responded that he had faced similar situations about five times already.”
