Gen. Milley almost resigned from post after Trump’s photo op controversy [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley almost resigned last week after receiving overwhelming criticisms from the public and government officials over his participation in President Donald Trump’s photo-op at St. John’s Episcopal Church on June 1.
• Milley released a video apologizing for his action, saying that his presence created a perception of military involvement in domestic politics.
• Together with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Milley opposed Trump’s idea to deploy military forces in dealing with the protesters over George Floyd’s death.

President Donald Trump’s controversial photo op at St. John’s Episcopal Church last week has negatively affected General Mark Milley, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, who considered resigning because of the overwhelming criticisms he received.

According to an NBC News report, Milley talked with his confidantes as he contemplated stepping down because of the backlash he received after forcefully getting rid of protesters in Lafayette Square. The general reportedly spent hours reviewing news articles and social media posts that condemned his action.

Milley also endured days of heated phone calls from angry Democrat lawmakers and the Armed Services Committee, some of them even yelled at him.

On Thursday, Milley released a video begging pardon for his action. The top Army general said it was wrong to appear in his combat fatigues and walk through the park with the president, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and other presidential officials.

“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” Milley said.

According to sources who spoke to NBC News, the top Army general was not aware that he was going to the church. He dressed in combat fatigues as preparation for his on-duty at the FBI’s Field Office, the control hub for the protest response. And then he was suddenly called to the White House to attend Trump’s Rose Garden speech.

During a fiery meeting at the Oval Office, Milley opposed Trump’s intention to use military forces to curb the unrest following George Floyd’s death. According to reports, the top Pentagon general shook his fists to emphasize how dangerous was the idea. Esper also backed him in dismissing the president’s request.

Same with Milley, Esper also detached himself from the photo op incident. He told the media last week that he did not know that the White House officials were going to pose outside the church.

According to reports, Trump was mad with Esper for opposing his decision to mobilize US troops in dealing with the protests and thought of firing him before other officials convinced him not to.

Source: New York Post