Senior general apologizes for appearing in a photo shoot with Trump after the forced expulsion of protesters

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Credit: AP Photo / Patrick Semansky

(CNN) - A senior US general apologized for appearing in a photo shoot with President Donald Trump after the blunt dispersal of peaceful protesters outside the White House last week, calling the move a "mistake" and saying that their presence "created a perception of the military involved in internal politics."

The Gen. Mark Milley, chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a recorded speech on Thursday that he regrets having accompanied Trump on a walk from the White House to the Church of San Juan last week, where he was photographed wearing his combat uniform and moving with the President's entourage down Lafayette Square.

The images sparked a rapid wave of criticism from lawmakers and several former top military officials who mentioned that they were at risk of dragging the traditionally apolitical military into a troubled internal political situation.

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“As high-ranking leaders, everything you do will be closely watched. And I am not immune. As many of you saw, the result of a photograph of me in Lafayette Square last week sparked a national debate on the role of the military in civil society, "Milley said in his prerecorded speech to a group of graduates of the University of National defense.

"It shouldn't have been there. My presence at that time and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in national politics. As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake I have learned from, and I sincerely hope that everyone can learn from that, ”he added.

Milley also said he was "outraged" at the death of George Floyd, adding that the protests he sparked spoke of "centuries of injustice to African Americans."

The remarks mark an extraordinary moment in which the high general of the United States apologizes for his appearance with his commander in chief, and does so while speaking with a group of future military officers and leaders.

"That the highest ranking officer in the ranks admit a serious mistake, and make it clear that he intends to learn from it, will serve as a powerful example to junior officers and troops that no one is exempt from making mistakes and that credibility someone does not improve by refusing to admit it, "said CNN military analyst John Kirby, a retired Navy rear admiral.

"General Milley's comments on the need to keep the military out of politics were timely and, in these unfortunate days, appropriate to the pressures under which our troops work. He was right in pointing out that he had mixed himself up in that, ”he said. "We should not lose sight of the importance of what he said. Very often, the military is loaded with a zero flaw mentality. They don't make it easy to recognize errors of judgment, "added Kirby.

They also come after many former leaders publicly broke with the president on a number of issues, including using active-duty troops to quell protests sparked by Floyd's death and the name change of military bases named in honor of Confederate generals.

Wait on shaky ground

CNN reported last week that Mark Esper (US Defense Secretary) was on shaky ground with the White House after saying he does not support the use of active duty forces to control ongoing internal unrest and noted that Those forces should only be used in law enforcement as a last resort.

Esper's predecessor, former Defense Secretary James Mattis, also launched an extraordinary attack on Trump last week, calling him "the first president in my life who is not trying to unite the American people, not even trying to try."

• LOOK: US Defense Secretary Mark Esper distances himself from Trump for wanting to use soldiers to quell protests in the US

Both Milley and Esper have told their colleagues that they are distressed by criticism on the way to St. John's because it turned into a photo shoot with political overtones. When asked if they regretted being on the walk, an administration official close to both men recently told CNN: "Of course I do."

Esper similarly acknowledged the troublesome nature of the appearance, telling reporters at the Pentagon last week that "I wasn't aware of a photo shoot," adding that he tried to "stay away from situations that may seem political, since Sometimes I am successful doing that, and sometimes I am not as successful. ”

Milley 'outraged' at George Floyd's 'brutal death'

In his speech, Milley also referred to the event that sparked the protests, Floyd's death while in Minneapolis police custody, as well as the challenges of racism within the US military and society.

“I am outraged at the meaningless and brutal death of George Floyd. His death amplified the pain, frustration and fear with which many of our compatriots live day after day, "said Milley.

"The protests that have taken place speak not only of his death, but also of the centuries of injustice towards African-Americans," he added, saying that "we should all be proud that the vast majority of the protests have been peaceful."

Defense officials told CNN that Milley lobbied Trump against the use of active duty troops to quell some of the violent protests that erupted in the wake of Floyd's death, and recommended that local police backed by Guard troops National could have the situation under control.

"We never brought federal troops into the streets of the United States as a result of the combined efforts of the Guard and law enforcement to calm the violence and reduce very tense situations," Milley said in his speech.

The American officer also addressed racial inequality within the military, saying that "our army has a mixed record of equality."

"While the military sets an example for civil society through our inclusion, we have not gone far enough, either. We need to do better. For example, although the United States Army has a higher proportion of African-Americans serving in our ranks than in society at large, only 7% of our flag and general officers are African-American, "he said, adding that" we must, we can and we will do better ”.

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