Major Controversies Surrounding Mark Milley: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Mark Milley.

Mark Alexander Milley is a retired United States Army general. He served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that role, he was the 39th chief of staff of the Army from 2015 to 2019. Throughout his career, Milley held various command and staff positions within eight divisions and special forces, marking a long and distinguished military career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Start of Iraq War Study

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War.

2006: End of Iraq War Study

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War.

October 2018: Reversal of Decision on Iraq War Study Publication

In October 2018, Mark Milley reversed his previous decisions and ordered the official publication of the Army's study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, including a foreword from himself, after being confronted by a journalist from The Wall Street Journal.

2018: Decision on Iraq War Study Publication

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, initially delaying publication but later ordering it with a foreword after media scrutiny.

January 17, 2019: Publication of Iraq War Study

On January 17, 2019, the two-volume study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War was published after congressional pressure.

June 1, 2020: Walking with President Trump to St. John's Episcopal Church

On June 1, 2020, during the protests in Washington, D.C., Mark Milley, in combat uniform, walked with President Trump from the White House across Lafayette Square to St. John's Episcopal Church after protestors had been dispersed, which led to criticism.

October 30, 2020: Milley's Call to Chinese Counterpart

On October 30, 2020, four days before the U.S. presidential election, Milley reportedly called his Chinese counterpart, General Li Zuocheng, to assure him of the stability of the American government and that the U.S. had no intention of attacking China.

January 12, 2021: Joint Chiefs of Staff Issue Statement

On January 12, 2021, Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement condemning the storming of the U.S. Capitol and reminding service members to uphold the Constitution and reject extremism.

January 15, 2021: Awareness of Troop Withdrawal Order

According to the book 'Peril', after the election, Milley became aware of a Trump military order to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by January 15, 2021, written without consulting national security officials.

June 2021: Report on Lost or Stolen Military Firearms

In June 2021, an Associated Press investigation revealed that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen in the last 10 years, with some used in violent crimes, leading Milley to express shock and consider systematic fixes, though some claimed he downplayed the report.

June 23, 2021: Milley Responds to "Woke" Characterization

On June 23, 2021, Milley responded to Congressman Matt Gaetz, finding it "offensive" that the U.S. military was being characterized as "woke" for including "critical race theory" in its West Point curriculum.

June 30, 2021: Trump Suggests Milley's Resignation

On June 30, 2021, Trump suggested that Milley should resign, implying Milley was unwilling to defend the U.S. military from leftist radicals. This followed Milley's defense of studying a broad range of ideas and reports of a shouting match between Milley and Trump.

July 2021: Publication of "I Alone Can Fix It"

In July 2021, the book "I Alone Can Fix It" by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig was published, detailing Milley's concerns about Trump potentially staging a coup and his discussions with deputies to thwart it.

I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year

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August 2021: Calls for Resignations After Kabul Attack

In August 2021, following the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport, Republican senators and members of the House called for the resignation of President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Blinken, Defense Secretary Austin, and Milley.

September 2021: Axios Report on Pentagon Concerns

According to a September 2021 Axios report, Pentagon officials worried in mid-2020 about China receiving faulty intelligence suggesting a possible U.S. strike against China.

September 2021: Publication of "Peril"

In September 2021, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa published their book, Peril, detailing Milley's concerns after the election, a Trump military order, and CIA director Gina Haspel's worries about a potential right-wing coup.

Peril

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September 2021: Milley Testifies on Afghanistan Withdrawal

In late September 2021, Milley testified before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, characterizing the withdrawal from Afghanistan as "a logistical success but a strategic failure" and rejected calls for his resignation.

September 28, 2021: Milley Testifies Before Congress

On September 28, 2021, Milley testified before a congressional hearing, stating that his calls to his Chinese counterpart were coordinated with the staffs of Esper and Miller both before and after they were made.

2022: Publication of Resignation Letter Draft

In 2022, the draft of Milley's resignation letter to President Trump, which he considered but ultimately decided against submitting, was published.

September 2023: Trump's Threat on Truth Social

In September 2023, Trump posted on Truth Social that Milley's call to Chinese authorities was an act warranting death, prompting Milley to state he would take measures to ensure his and his family's safety.

October 25, 2024: Trump's Claims on Joe Rogan Podcast

On October 25, 2024, Donald Trump claimed on a podcast with Joe Rogan that Milley said "It's cheaper to leave it" regarding military equipment in Afghanistan.

January 20, 2025: Pardon and Removal of Portrait

On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden pardoned Mark Milley from potential future prosecution just hours before he left office, and his portrait was removed soon after President Trump's inauguration later that day.