(TheRedAlertNews.com) – The highest-ranking United States military officer, Gen. Mark Milley, defended former President Donald Trump by killing off the left’s claims that the then-president issued an “illegal order” to use the armed forces to stay in power after the 2020 election.
In a TV interview Sunday, Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared he never received an “illegal order” from Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
Milley’s interview with the ABC News program “This Week” came after he announced he would retire after four years on the job at the end of September.
“Were you concerned at any time that you might receive an illegal order after Election Day [2020]?” ABC News host Martha Raddatz asked the top officer.
“I never did receive an illegal order,” Milley replied.
“Was there concern?” the host persisted.
“Well, you know, I’d… I’d… I argued the case at various times for alternative courses of action, never received an illegal order,” responded the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A report by The Hill notes that there have been allegations that US commanders worried Trump might try to remain in power through a military “coup.”
A 2021 book, “I Alone Can Fix It,” by two Washington Post reporters, Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig, claims that Milley and other generals feared such a scenario at the time.
“They may try, but they’re not going to f‑‑‑‑‑‑ succeed. You can’t do this without the military. You can’t do this without the CIA and the FBI. We’re the guys with the gun,” Milley told his deputies, according to the book.
After receiving several questions on the topic in his ABC News interview, the retiring highest US military officer said he didn’t worry that there would be another case similar to the January 6, 2021, events at the US Capitol.
“I am confident that the United States, the democracy of this country, will prevail, and the rule of law will prevail. I’m absolutely confident of that. And these institutions are built to be strong and resilient, and to adapt to the times, and I’m 100% confident we’ll be fine,” Milley concluded.
