General Mark Milley is a name that has been in the headlines quite a bit recently, especially with his retirement from the U.S. Army and the controversy surrounding his actions during the Trump administration
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. Born on June 20, 1958, in Winchester, Massachusetts, Milley had a distinguished military career that spanned over four decades
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. He graduated from Princeton University in 1980 and later earned master’s degrees from Columbia University and the U.S. Naval War College
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Milley served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2019 to September 2023
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. In this role, he was the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council
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. Before becoming Chairman, he held various command and staff positions, including Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces Command
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One of the most notable events during Milley’s tenure was his involvement in the calls with his Chinese counterpart in 2021, where he assured China that the U.S. had no intentions of launching an attack
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. This action drew significant criticism from former President Donald Trump, who accused Milley of treason and suggested he should be executed
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. Despite the backlash, Milley maintained that he was performing his duties to avoid conflict with China
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In a surprising move, President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Milley ahead of Trump’s inauguration in January 2025
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. Biden stated that Milley and other public servants who were targeted by politically motivated investigations deserved protection from unjustified prosecutions
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. Milley expressed his gratitude for the pardon, emphasizing his commitment to protecting the Constitution and the idea of America
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Milley’s career is a testament to his dedication to military service and his willingness to stand by his principles, even in the face of political pressure. His actions and the subsequent pardon have sparked discussions about the role of military leaders in politics and the importance of upholding democratic values.
For more information on General Mark Milley, you can watch this interview with him on The David Rubenstein Show.
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USA Today
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en.wikipedia.org
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www.defense.gov