Gen Milley NOT “in charge” of military response to protests as suggested by President in phone call to Governors: Senior administration officials tells me.
A senior administration official tells me: “General Milley’s role has not changed. He is the senior military adviser to the President. He is not issuing orders to the Governors or overseeing National Guard troops in Washington DC.”
I am told Milley’s statutory role has not changed. He remains Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, not a field commander. Right now Army Secretary (civilian) Ryan McCarthy is in charge of DC National Guard. As of now no active duty troops have been ordered into DC by the President.
Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey took issue on Twitter with the use of the term “battle space” by the Defense Secretary and descriptions on the call with Governors to “get control of the battle space” suggesting to Governors how to use military against US citizens.
Former Special Operations Commander General Tony Thomas Tweet: “The “battle space” of America??? Not what America needs to hear...ever, unless we are invaded by an adversary or experience a constitutional failure...ie a Civil War...”
A great deal of anger among top active duty military leaders & recently retired officers with whom I’m speaking, concerns about how the US military is being used as a “prop“ by the President in this stand off with protesters. Worried about eroding public’s perception of military.
