A spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley on Wednesday issued a statement seemingly dismissing reports about the general in a forthcoming book by journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.
An excerpt from Peril published by CNN on Tuesday revealed that Milley reportedly had two conversations with his Chinese counterpart, assuring him that former President Donald Trump was not going to launch a nuclear attack against China. The book also alleges that, after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Milley gathered top military commanders and told them that they shouldn't adhere to any nuclear strike orders unless he was involved in the planning.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In Wednesday's statement, however, Col. Dave Butler said Milley's actions were "in keeping" with his normal duties and responsibilities, which include holding conversations with adversaries like China and Russia to improve understanding and reduce tensions. Those calls, he explained, are "staffed, coordinated, and communicated with the Department of Defense and the interagency." Butler also said the meeting with military leaders was routine, and, in this case, was to remind them of "long-established and robust procedures in light of media reporting on the subject." Read the full statement below.
Milley later received an endorsement from the Biden administration on Wednesday when White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden has "complete confidence" in him.
-
Political cartoons for December 14Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a new White House flag, Venezuela negotiations, and more
-
Heavenly spectacle in the wilds of CanadaThe Week Recommends ‘Mind-bending’ outpost for spotting animals – and the northern lights
-
Facial recognition: a revolution in policingTalking Point All 43 police forces in England and Wales are set to be granted access, with those against calling for increasing safeguards on the technology
-
‘City leaders must recognize its residents as part of its lifeblood’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem might not be long for TrumplandIN THE SPOTLIGHT She has been one of the most visible and vocal architects of Trump’s anti-immigration efforts, even as her own star risks fading
-
Senate votes down ACA subsidies, GOP alternativeSpeed Read The Senate rejected the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, guaranteeing a steep rise in health care costs for millions of Americans
-
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s orderSpeed Read The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center
-
Indiana Senate rejects Trump’s gerrymander pushSpeed Read The proposed gerrymander would have likely flipped the state’s two Democratic-held US House seats
-
Will there be peace before Christmas in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Discussions over the weekend could see a unified set of proposals from EU, UK and US to present to Moscow
-
‘The menu’s other highlights smack of the surreal’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Democrat files to impeach RFK Jr.Speed Read Rep. Haley Stevens filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
