Did the elected President Trump want to use a military conflict to stay in power?
This fear probably haunted the Chief of Staff.
Washington, DC - January 6, 2021 remains anchored in the collective memory of the United States.
Now there is new information about the events: After the storming of the US Capitol, Chief of Staff Mark Milley is said to have taken secret precautions according to media reports to restrict the then President Donald Trump's legal authority over nuclear weapons.
This was reported by the broadcaster CNN and the
Washington Post
newspaper
, citing an as yet unpublished book that deals with the end of Trump's term in office.
Trump immediately insulted Milley in a statement and spoke of "treason".
Last days under President Trump: No military offensive strike without the approval of the Chief of Staff
The renowned investigative journalist Bob Woodward and a longtime
Washington Post
correspondent
, Robert Costa, write in the book “Peril” (Danger) that Milley was shaken by supporters of Trump after the Capitol was stormed. He therefore called a confidential meeting with the responsible commanders on January 8th to ensure that there could be no military offensive strike without his consent. “Whatever you are ordered to do, you follow the procedure. You do the process. And I'm part of the process, ”Milley reportedly said on Tuesday. After that, the general is said to have asked everyone involved directly whether they understood him.
According to reports, the authors of the book, due for release on September 21, also had a transcript of a phone call made by Milley and the Chair of the House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi said in a conversation on January 8th to Milley about Trump: “You know he's crazy.
He's been crazy for a long time. "Milley, who was appointed by Trump in 2019, is said to have replied:" I agree with you on all points. "
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Chief of Staff Mark Milley during a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington.
(Archive image)
© Susan Walsh / dpa
Book to reveal: Fear of military conflict under Trump
According to the book, Milley is said to have feared that the elected Trump could instigate a military conflict in order to stay in power. Pelosi, who holds the third highest office in the state, also published a press release after the phone call in January. At the time, she said she had spoken to Milley to prevent an "unstable president" from "starting military strikes" or ordering a "nuclear attack". The elected Republican Trump "couldn't be more dangerous and we must do everything in our power to protect the people of America" and to protect democracy, Pelosi said at the time.
Despite his defeat in the November 3, 2020 election, Trump remained US President until January 20, as stipulated by the constitution, and thus also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Strictly speaking, the military could not openly defy his orders.
Milley, who now serves as the top military advisor to Democratic President Joe Biden, is said to have had two conversations with his Chinese counterpart at the time, according to reports on the book, in order to prevent the communist leadership's fears of a possible US attack.
Milley phoned General Li Zuocheng shortly before the US election, on October 30, and again on January 8.
During the second call, Milley is said to have said to the Chinese: “We are 100 percent consistent.
But democracy can sometimes be sloppy. ”According to the reports, Milley China is said to have also promised to warn his counterpart Li in advance in the event of an attack.
"Stupid General": Donald Trump reacts to the allegations
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Donald Trump, ex-President of the United States, in the Oval Office of the White House.
(Archive image)
© Evan Vucci / dpa
Trump now called Milley in a statement as a "stupid general" who was "weak and ineffective". If the reports in the book are correct and Milley has made arrangements with China behind his back, then he must be tried for "treason", Trump said. The ex-president added that he never even considered attacking China. Anyone who claims otherwise is "sick and crazy".
Republican Senator Marc Rubio, a Trump ally, said on Fox News that if the reports were correct, it would be "a military coup". The military leadership should not place itself above the will of the legitimately elected president. "Imagine if General Milley decides tomorrow that Joe Biden is senile," said Rubio. Then Milley Biden could refuse orders and work with Russia and China, he said.
A White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, refused to comment on the Milley publications when asked on Tuesday and referred to the military's press offices.
There was initially no reaction from the Pentagon.
At Milley's next hearing in Congress - on September 28 in the Senate - he is likely to face very critical questions from several Republicans.
(dpa)
List of rubric lists: © Evan Vucci / dpa