Iclal Turan
29 January 2025•Update: 29 January 2025
WASHINGTON
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will revoke retired former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley's personal security detail and security clearance with immediate effect, a report said Tuesday.
Hegseth has also directed a review to determine whether Milley should be stripped of a retirement star over allegations that he undermined the chain of command during President Donald Trump’s first term, senior Trump administration officials told Fox News.
Milley, who served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023, had been assigned a security detail after Iran vowed retaliation for the 2020 killing of its top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike.
In a further step, the Pentagon ordered the removal of Milley’s remaining portrait inside the building, it added.
The move took place on Monday last week, less than three hours after Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the US.
The portrait was reportedly placed on display on Jan. 10 this year by the Biden administration.
In the final hours of his presidency, President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Milley and other officials who he feared might face retaliation from Trump.
Trump, who nominated Milley for the position, had later clashed with the general over several national security issues.
Milley expressed his "deep gratitude" for Biden's decision in a statement.
"After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights," he said.
