Staff ReportsThe former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, recently took a surprising detour from his anti-Trump rhetoric by declaring that America is “going to be okay” under the potentially upcoming Trump administration. This admission comes from a man who has been more vocal than a liberal arts professor at a safe space rally about his disdain for the former president, calling Trump everything from “fascist” to “the most dangerous person” in the country. Now, Milley is telling liberal viewers at MSNBC to “take a deep breath.” One can only imagine the awkwardness of that moment — like trying to promote a vegan diet at a Texas barbecue.
Milley’s sudden optimism stands in stark contrast to his earlier blustering about Trump’s supposed threat to democracy. Just months prior, he was cautioning everyone about the disastrous consequences of a second Trump term — a tune that seems to have conveniently changed now that the election results are rolling in and the reality of political gravity kicks in. Now, the retired general is painting a picture of resilience and positivity about America’s strengths, with mentions of its “great people” and “great institutions.” This is the same guy who once seemed to believe the country might crumble should Trump take the reins again.
In his newfound sereneness, Milley also touched on the potential for reform within the Pentagon, acknowledging that Trump loyalists might usher in “helpful” changes to the military bureaucracy. It’s somewhat ironic for a man who once denounced Trump as a “wannabe dictator” to now entertain the idea that Trump’s administration could improve military operations, but perhaps a little bit of perspective can do wonders for someone who once thought being a general was all about virtue-signaling and keeping up with the latest political fashion.
On the battlefield of gender roles in military service, Milley maintained his stance on including women in combat as long as they meet specified standards. This almost sounds like an inoffensive comment from a politician reaching across the aisle, but it doesn’t sit well with Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has taken a firmer stance, arguing that allowing women in combat roles dilutes military effectiveness, leading to a classic clash of military philosophies: the “woke” approach versus the traditionalist view that prioritizes operational capability.
Let’s not forget the multiple studies done by the Armed Forces that proved women in combat Units degraded capability…Gen. Milley Makes Stunning Admission About Incoming Trump Administration https://t.co/5Hu2bvu925
— Michael Johnston (@skiyryder) November 24, 2024
Let’s not forget the history between Milley and Trump, especially after Milley faced serious allegations related to his communications with the Chinese military. He allegedly made assurances to China that he’d forewarn them in the event of a U.S. military attack during the tumultuous final days of Trump’s presidency. This eyebrow-raising scenario paints a picture that could make even the most seasoned political analyst do a double take. Naturally, Trump responded to these accusations by taking a hard stance against Milley, cutting ties and seemingly opting to move on without the general who was supposed to be his top military advisor.
In the light of these events, Milley’s comments seem more like a clever ploy to rebound from his previous standings rather than a genuine change of heart. Perhaps Milley now realizes that the winds of political fortune can shift unexpectedly, especially as Trump prepares for a comeback. Whatever the motive behind Milley’s sudden calm, it raises the question of whether he’s finally seeing the larger picture or just scrambling to maintain some semblance of credibility in a changing political landscape.
