President Trump’s choice for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the position of top military adviser, declared at his Senate confirmation hearing that he is “not going to be intimidated into making stupid decisions.”
Gen. Mark Milley, the Army’s chief of staff, made the statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday as Maine independent Angus King questioned him, at times playfully, about how he’d deal with the commander in chief if confirmed as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer.
“I consider your job the second-most important in the United States government because we are living in a dangerous world,” King told Milley. “And your position as principal adviser to the president in a time of heightened international tension and risk is incredibly significant and important. You know what my question’s going to be. What is it? Guess what my next question will be.”
“Probably the same one you asked me when I was nominated to be the chief,” Milley responded. “Are you going to be intimidated?”
“That’s the question. What’s the answer?” King returned.
“Absolutely not. By no one ever. I’ll give my best military advice. It’ll be candid. It’ll be honest. It’ll be rigorous, and it’ll be thorough. That’s what I’ll do every single time,” Milley said.
King pressed him further. “I believe that, but I think it’s very important to emphasize the Oval Office is an intimidating place. The president of the United States is the most powerful leader in the free world,” King said, saying that “there is no more important responsibility in your career” than being willing to tell the president he’s wrong.
“You said to me four years ago no one intimidates you,” King added. “I just want to refresh your recollection on that point.”
Milley turned serious, talking about the combat and dead soldiers he’s seen. “Arlington is full of our comrades. And we understand absolutely full well the hazards of our chosen profession, and we know what this is about. And we are not going to be intimidated into making stupid decisions. We will give our best military advice regardless of consequences to ourself,” he said.
Earlier in the hearing to consider Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford’s replacement, Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton questioned Milley about the military’s policy on following orders.
“When the decision-maker makes a decision, it’s our job to execute,” Milley said, even if he considers the order “ill-advised.”
Cotton, a former Army captain, noted that military policy says enlisted men must follow all orders while officers can disobey those they consider illegal, but Milley said he takes a different view.
“Frankly, I would expect any soldier, sailor, airman, Marine regardless of rank not to obey an illegal, immoral, or unethical order, even at the risk of their own life,” Milley told Cotton. “It’s the Nuremberg standard. You can’t hide behind ‘I was ordered to do it.’”
