Retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, didn’t mince words on Friday as he responded to Donald Trump’s threats.
“We don’t take an oath to a king, or queen, or tyrant, or dictator,” Milley stated bluntly at his retirement ceremony. “We don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We don’t take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it.”
🚨🚨🚨Wow, outgoing CJS Chair Milley hits Trump at retirement ceremony: "We don't take an oath to a king, or queen, or a tyrant or a dictator. And we don't take an oath to a wannabe dictator …we take an oath to the Constitution … and we're willing to die to protect it". pic.twitter.com/AH2eQObge4
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) September 29, 2023
Milley, who served under Trump, has had a strained relationship with the former president. In response to Trump’s recent suggestion that Milley should be “executed” over his communications with his China counterpart after the Capitol insurrection, the retiring general asserted he would take “appropriate measures” to protect his family.
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Prior to Milley’s remarks, President Joe Biden commended him, emphasizing his reliance on Milley’s straightforward advice. Biden also applauded the confirmation of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as the next Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.
During his address, Biden didn’t hold back in criticizing Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., for delaying over 300 military confirmations and promotions without mentioning him by name. He called it an insult to the officers’ dedicated service, impacting readiness, morale, and retention, and stressed that the troops deserve better.
