General Milley’s spokesperson defends ‘vital’ calls to China as Biden expresses ‘great confidence’
‘These conversations remain vital to improving mutual understanding of US national security interests, reducing tensions, providing clarity and avoiding unintended consequences or conflict,’ a spokesman for General Milley says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Joe Biden has defended General Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, amid a controversy about the general’s allegedly secret calls to China in the final months of the Trump administration.
“I have great confidence in General Milley,” the president said on Wednesday.
According to a new book by journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, General Milley made two secret phone calls in late 2020 and early 2021 to China’s top general, Li Zuocheng, to reassure him that the United States did not intend to go to war with his country.
In one call, General Milley allegedly told his Chinese counterpart, “General Li, you and I have known each other for now five years. If we’re going to attack, I’m going to call you ahead of time. It’s not going to be a surprise.”
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for General Milley denied that the calls were secret and defended the actions.
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs regularly communicates with Chiefs of Defense across the world, including with China and Russia,” Colonel Dave Butler said in a statement. “These conversations remain vital to improving mutual understanding of US national security interests, reducing tensions, providing clarity and avoiding unintended consequences or conflict.”
“All calls from the chairman to his counterparts, including those reported, are staffed, coordinated and communicated with the Department of Defense and the interagency,” he added.
Separately, White House press secretary Jen Psaki spoke up for General Milley as well.
“The president knows General Milley, he has been chairman of the Joint Chiefs for almost eight months of his presidency, they’ve worked side by side through a range of international events,” Ms Psaki said on Wednesday. “And the President has complete confidence in his leadership, his patriotism and his fidelity to our Constitution.”
Trump accuses Gen Milley of ‘treason’ after book reveals he promised to warn China before any attacks
Mark Milley warned Trump was going to start a ‘f***ing war’ with Iran and Pence called country ‘evil’, book claims
Trump calls on Mark Milley to resign after top US military officer thrust into ‘critical race theory’ debate
Trumpland’s war on the military: Why the ex-president’s followers have General Milley in their sights
US military chief Mark Milley once told Stephen Miller to ‘shut the f*** up’ over criticisms of protests, book claims
Republicans have lashed out over the calls, which they see as violating the chain of command and undermining a US president. Donald Trump himself has accused General Milley of “treason.”
“I hope reports of Gen Milley reaching out to his Chinese counterpart to undermine a sitting President is [sic] proven false, because if this is true it wasn’t an act of patriotic heroism,” Senator Marco Rubio tweeted. “It was an act of treachery that posed a grave risk to our security & our constitutional order.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments