General Milley now tells us Woodward is correct. He did call China, but so what? It’s no big deal guys, quit making it a thing!

But his calls and his discussions with his command staff ARE a thing. A very big awful thing. As Toni wrote here, when the news first broke of Milley’s circumvention of the chain of command by calling China directly, we were all a bit skeptical given Woodward’s history of making shit up to sell books. 

But now, with this statement, we find out that for once, Woodward was on the money. READ. 

“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs regularly communicates with Chiefs of Defense across the world, including with China and Russia. These conversations remain vital to improving mutual understanding of U.S. national security interests, reducing tensions, providing clarity and avoiding unintended consequences or conflict.

His calls with the Chinese and others in October and January were in keeping with these duties and responsibilities conveying reassurance in order to maintain strategic stability. All calls from the Chairman to his counterparts, including those reported, are staffed, coordinated and communicated with the Department of Defense and the interagency.

Also in keeping with his responsibilities as senior military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense, General Milley frequently conducts meetings with uniformed leaders across the Services to ensure all leaders are aware of current issues. The meeting regarding nuclear weapons protocols was to remind uniformed leaders in the Pentagon of the long-established and robust procedures in light of media reporting on the subject.

General Milley continues to act and advise within his authority in the lawful tradition of civilian control of the military and his oath to the Constitution.”

Let’s break this down for a minute. 

A. Yes, it would be understandable for Joint Chiefs Chair to communicate regularly with Defense chiefs all over the world. What is ALSO necessary is that the White House be regularly INFORMED of these calls. It’s highly evident in this instance that the White House in 2020 was left in the dark.

B. Regular meetings with command staff across the services. Sounds about right doesn’t it? So WHY then call a meeting and specifically pointedly discuss nuclear protocols. Why didn’t ANY of those generals question why such a discussion was necessary?

C. Did President Trump during his four years in office get us into any wars? Did he escalate any conflicts? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding NO. 

This admission that the call was made is Deep State arrogance on a whole ‘nother level. 

Did you get that?? Milley reassured China’s top general, a saber rattling warmonger, that if an attack was imminent, they’d receive advance warning. WHO DOES THAT?? Evidently Milley in hopes his pal Li Zuocheng will reciprocate. Really?

The Chinese general has a history of making public calls for military aggression, threatening to “resolutely smash” Taiwanese forces or any other country that challenges the CCP’s regional control.

~Snip

Li’s comments were amplified on Chinese social media, fomenting anti-American sentiment. One post on Baijiahao, a website for writing and commentary sponsored by Chinese media giant Baidu, framed Li’s warnings as a threat to an “arrogant” United States in “cahoots” with Taiwan.

“The United States is in cahoots and arrogant, but General Li Zuocheng has also drawn a red line for the Taiwan Province authorities,” a translation of the post reads. “General Li Zuocheng’s warning is not a cliché. He is a fighting hero who … represents the attitude of every bloody Chinese son and daughter. The Taiwan Province authorities should not underestimate the determination of the mainland.”

Yet Milley thinks this guy is a friend of ours? Seriously?? You know that one line from the Hunt For Red October? “You arrogant ass, you’ve killed us!” That’s been buzzing around in my head since yesterday afternoon when I read Milley’s smug non-denial. 

Li Zuocheng is NOT a nice guy. He’s one of their biggest and most dangerous scorpions. Yet here is Milley, while bitching and kvetching about getting Critical Race Theory mainstreamed into our military, thinking that by making calls without President Trump’s knowledge, the scorpion will never use its stinger. Milley is either naive or stupid. I vote for both. 

Here’s another point regarding Milley’s call to Li. It is NOT nor is it EVER the job of the Chairman of the Joint Chief’s of Staff to take it upon himself to reassure a foreign country of what the U.S. national security interests are. That is way WAY out of his lane. That is the President’s lane. The President dictates and directs our national security and foreign policy. The military does NOT. Milley overran that lane by about 20,000 miles. 

…Milley's concerns—even if held in good faith—would not justify what is claimed by Woodward and Costa. If Milley told subordinates they were to await his concurrence on an attack order, he would have elevated his authority over the express authority delegated to a president.

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) September 16, 2021

Do you recall Milley running for any office during the 2016 or 2020 elections? Do you recall him explaining HIS foreign policy to voters and humbly asking for their support? Where could we have gone to vote against Milley's foreign policy and diplomatic agenda?

— John Hayward (@Doc_0) September 15, 2021

In this instance, it does not matter if Biden has full confidence in Milley. It doesn’t matter if Jen Psaki likes the guy either. Milley went outside the chain of command. And for that, he really should be facing a full investigation, a court martial, and have his rank, his job, and his pension yanked from him. 

Milley admits he called China and then issues a ‘so what?’ statement. Milley is an arrogant disrespectful ass who is a discredit to the uniform.

Feature Photo Credit: Milley at Pentagon April 2021 via Joint Chiefs Flickr page, cropped and modified