Revelation of the decision by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley, to assure his counterpart in China that he would circumvent any decision by President Trump to use nuclear force to attack our nation’s Asian rival strikes at the core of the primacy of civilian rule in our American democracy.
However, I am torn about whether to condemn or praise our top military officer as he dealt with the threat of potentially destructive actions by a president engaged in increasingly erratic actions during the last few months of his term in office. It was this president who was seeking to overturn a legitimate election, claiming fraud where there was none, going so far to incite an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Still, Milley overstepped his authority by thrusting himself into politics. He circumvented his chain-in-command. He did what he thought was best to protect our country amid the unpredictable, impulsive behavior of a madman.
“Perils,” a book written by the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, along with another book and “New Yorker” article, discloses two conversations that Milley had with his counterpart, one before the election and one after the Jan. 6 assault on the nation’s capital. He initially sought to assure General Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army that he need not worry about aggression by the United States.
Context is important.
Trump’s propensity to act against accepted norms and entangle his subordinates in questionable, unethical behavior was well-known. The reputations of his associates were always at stake. Many chose to resign, such as Gen. John Kelly, his chief of staff, John Bolton, his National Security Council advisor, and Gen. Jim Mattis, his secretary of defense.
The question then arises whether Milley should have resigned and written a sharply worded letter as Mattis did to express his criticism of Trump’s decision to withdraw all forces from Syria and betray our Kurdish allies. Mattis’ letter so infuriated the president that he demanded that Mattis leave his position as secretary of defense earlier than the agreed upon time.
After spending more than 30 years in uniform, I view the premise of civilian control of the military as inviolate, established by General George Washington’s resignation at the end of the Revolutionary War. Political considerations must come into play at times during go or no-go tactical decisions. Though I well understand the natural tension between civilian leaders and high-ranking generals, I have always considered the fraught relationship as necessary and useful as a check and balance.
I still do.
Though Trump had no respect for the appropriate use of the military, as demonstrated by his enlistment of General Milley in his walk in June 2020 to St. John’s Episcopal Church amid the Black Lives Matters protests in Washington, he served as commander-in-chief, albeit an irresponsible one.
Milley was sworn to protect our country and Constitution, as he understands fully well. His service has been superior. Unfortunately, he violated the separation between civilian control and military acquiescence.
While I commend President Biden’s support of, and admiration for Milley, I question the general’s ability to remain as Joint Chiefs chair. His credibility, unfortunately, as an apolitical military officer has diminished.
General Milley must resign. He did not commit treason, as Trump alleges. Just the opposite. Instead, he committed an act of honor and integrity. He acted heroically. He no longer could trust his commander-in-chief, understandably so. Nonetheless, he crossed the line of propriety.
He was right to disrespect a reckless president. He was wrong not to resign and state his reasons as forcefully and honorably as he believed necessary.
He made the wrong decision for the right reasons.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Jill Poe says
Thank God the CIA has ultimate control and plans in place.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jill. Wish you would elaborate.
Jt smith says
I know that Howard has given a great deal of thought to the Milley matter. Nevertheless, I disagree with his conclusion. I think General Milley made the right decisions for the right reasons and has no cause to resign. I don’t think his actions eroded civilian control of the military. Extraordinary times called for exceptional measures. Resignation of Milley, who acted with courage and principle, would simply be an unnecessary sacrifice on Trump’s dark altar.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, JT. My premise, as you know, was a difficult one for me to reach. Gen. Milley was serving a person strong in vitriol and weak in common sense. The general did what he thought was right for our country. However, I believe, as stated, that resignation, supported by a reasoned letter, was the proper path,
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Howard, Let my very first line be the last line from your missive. ” He made the wrong decision for the right reasons “. You, on the other hand, made the right decision(calling for Millie to resign) for the wrong reasons.
You have the temerity to call Trump “a madman, an irresponsible commander in chief,and reckless” Again , you push it right to the line, and go further. Are you a licensed Psychiatrist, A Medical Doctor? If so, have you diagnosed Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. As mentally diminished? Just a “tad” senile? Of course not. Any thoughts on your comfort level regarding our current slurring, glassy eyed President, creator of one disaster after another? Any concern that good ‘ol Joe may wake from a nap, launch the missiles while believing he is ordering more chocolate chocolate chip ice cream?Nah.
I was a lot more comfortable with Donald Trump in charge than with Susan Rice,er, um Joe Biden. Of course this corrupt General has to go. Problem is, his ego will never allow him to pen a resignation. Biden has not been told about this man’s detour around protocol, and would never fire him anyway, being a fellow hater of former President Trump.
Remember, this brain trust Biden described the exit from Afghanistan as “a complete success”. And Trump was a “madman “? C’mon, Howard.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Stephen. No advanced degrees were necessary for any ordinary person to observe and understand that our 45th president lacked common sense and a moral center.
Stephen Schaare says
Thanks Howard, Will you share how you feel about Joe Biden’s mental state and judgment? Thank you. Steve
Howard Freedlander says
Believe it’s stable and balanced, despite unfounded rumors.
Stephen Schaare says
Howard, The video I see with my eyes, the words I hear spoken are not rumors. Thanks, guess we are done here. Steve
Michael Allison says
What Milley did was treason. No matter how you try to portray him. He secretly contacted the military enemy of the United States and promised to give them our military plans – that’s treason. As a General he, of all people, should have known what he was doing was wrong. No matter who our President is, while he is the President, it’s his decision (and congress) on when to use our weapons, it’s the Generals duty to carry-out those decisions. If he didn’t/doesn’t want to do that then he should resign, not commit treason.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Michael. Gen. Miley’s were not treasonous. As I wrote, I thought they were improper, even in the context of his serving an irresponsible, impulsive and unbalanced president.
John Fischer says
I don’t always agree with Mr. Freedlander’s take on events. But here he is spot on.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jack.
Richard Marks says
Howard,
I appreciate your thoughtful consideration in this very critical matter and agree that General Miley acted improperly. It was also not the first time he has exercised poor judgement.
Admittedly, my being in agreement with Steve Schaare feels strange, but acceptable. Too bad, he always goes off the rails and rants rather than staying on topic. C’mon Steve.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Richard, Welcome. I simply tell the truth, as I try to bring some balance to important matters.
Two months ago, Howard scolded me for referring to the “newcomers” at the southern border as “invaders”. I wonder how he views the 15,000 Haitians living in squalor under the Del Rio bridge in Texas. Howard was so critical of Trump today without any mention of his successor, the diminished Joe Biden.
Perhaps I had a “pebble in my shoe” regarding Howard. Just a simple man with simple questions am I.
Never thought of myself as one who “rants”, no offense taken. Be well-Steve
Richard Marks says
Hi Steve,
I don’t see how Howard could have presented his case on General Miley’s role without referencing President Trump’s behavior. I agree it would be surprise if Miley resigns. Top brass have been sacked for far less transgressions. I sure wish President Obama had not fired General McCrystal for insubordination, but discipline is critical to the structure of any organization.
Speaking of terminations I would be interested to hear your take on why President Trump was never able to look someone in the eyes when he fired them. So ironic. He became most known for his show The Apprentice and telling people when they were fired, but to to best of my knowledge could never do so outside of the TV studio. Instead, he would first denigrate them to fellow employees. Then do the same in public so they get the message in hopes they would resign. In the absence thereof, he would then drop the hammer through some other means or person. Not very brave. True, I never supported President Trump even if, on occasion, I agreed with certain policies, but I could never respect him for his ill treatment of people.
As a former employer of hundreds over 45 years in business my most difficult job was to let someone go. It never got easier, but it was important to show proper respect and consideration.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Richard. Your thoughts are always valued, based on thoughtful and informed reflection.
Carol Voyles says
As a matter of fact, licensed psychiatrists do agree that Trump is a madman.
And in that case, a majority would probably also agree that Milley was justified in taking the action he did.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Carol. Trump’s behavior threatened our country and world. Milley performed admirably under insanely difficult circumstances. My stance is resignation. I fully understand why some would disagree.
Robert Siegfried says
I do not believe General Milley should resign. He did what every good soldier should do. He put his country’s interests first. He acted to defend these interests. Donald Trump as continues to be revealed was not just a bad President . He was an elected official who at the time of the General’s action had been impeached ( and would have Ben out of elected office if there truly were elected Republican legislators of honor in the Senate. Indeed Milley acted because others who should have acted to protect the Country , its safety and its Construction failed putting , like Trump, their own self interests ahead of the country.
Freedlander’s logic to honor “ separation of powers and chains of command” in a United States where Trump continually violated both to subvert government and democracy to his own whims is whimsical given the state of the state then .
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Robert. While I strongly commend Gen. Milley’s sincere patriotism and unquestionable honor, I believe that resignation with an explanation was the preferable route.
Steven L Funderburk says
I appreciate Mr. Freelander’s opinion that General Milley should have resigned while protesting his highly reckless commander in chief Donald Trump. If ever there was a Gordian knot situation for a high ranking military officer, this was it. I am proud and glad he drew the sword and made the right decision while he had the authority to do so. Rule books certainly have their purpose, but it takes a leader of rock solid maturity and integrity to recognize a situation for what it is. Thank you General Milley.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Steven. Your viewpoint is shared by many.
Jim Moses says
I can appreciate Colonel Freedlander’s point of view (“Military Conundrum by Howard Freedlander,” The Talbot Spy, September 21, 2021), but I submit that General Milley faced no conundrum. None of us are obligated to follow an illegal order; we are (or should have been) given enough in our training and education to recognize one. We further understand that our chain of command will support us if we are ever forced to refuse such an order.
Absent an attack on the United States, a presidential nuclear strike order would be illegal, and the Chairman would only need Article I Section 8 as his reason to refuse it. Not all countries understand this constraint; the Chairman was well within his prerogatives to reassure others that he and the chain of command were prepared to obey the Constitution.
Put yourself in China’s place: suppose they had not received that assurance?
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jim. I fully understand and appreciate your viewpoint.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I give General Milley a pass. I cannot fathom being a senior military leader dealing with that misfit. I keep thinking of
that line towards the end of The Great Gatsby. It is apt and a perfect simile to the former “Presidency”. If one wants to call it that….
“They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever,
it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess that had made”.