Millie, current chairman of the Joint Chiefs, accused of undermining Trump's authority

[Yttrium]

btw, Trump picked Milley to be the JCS Chief over the objections of the Pentagon. Milley was his choice. And as you might recall, Milley carried out the order to assassinate Soleimani.

Yeah, if we replace him, it will be with somebody much less tolerant of Trump's shenanigans.

 

[TLK Valentine]

What if Milley thought it was a bad idea, and that it might trigger ISIS to launch further attacks against us? Would you say that Milley would be patriotic (or even heroic) by warning ISIS about it, thus saving American lives that could be lost due to an ISIS retaliation?

What if Milley thought what was a bad idea? Donald didn't have an idea -- that's the point.

Milley did nothing to undermine Donald because Donald was doing nothing for him to undermine.

 

[wing2000]

Yeah, if we replace him, it will be with somebody much less tolerant of Trump's shenanigans.

...he can shenanigan all he wants...as a civilian.

 

[Aldebaran]

Nope. They wouldn't. However, they would praise him if he would be found to have helped Britain or France or Saudi Arabia or Mexico against any attacks we were about to do against them. Because such attacks would be highly irrational. Like attacking China.

It wouldn't be Millie's job to determine if an attack was "rational". His job is to follow the president's orders. That's the chain of command.

 

[TLK Valentine]

It wouldn't be Millie's job to determine if an attack was "rational".

Was Donald planning an attack?

His job is to follow the president's orders. That's the chain of command.

Legal orders, to be sure... and then there's the tricky issue of morality. We do want our soldiers to be moral, don't we?

But it's all moot -- The Commander-in-Chief has great confidence in Milley, and seems content to let the issue slide.

 

[Yttrium]

It wouldn't be Millie's job to determine if an attack was "rational". His job is to follow the president's orders. That's the chain of command.

His job is to follow the president's legal orders. More than anyone else in the military, a big part of his job is determining whether those orders are legal and rational. Because if they aren't, he has to figure out the best way to avoid doing them.

 

[TLK Valentine]

His job is to follow the president's legal orders. More than anyone else in the military, a big part of his job is determining whether those orders are legal and rational. Because if they aren't, he has to figure out the best way to avoid doing them.

Agreed. As a general officer in the United States military, Milley no doubt has an impressive background in military protocol and history... As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, it's a safe assumption that he knows his stuff more than anyone here, and certainly more than Donald ever could if he studied from now until Doomsday.

That said, I'm willing to bet that the only people on Earth who understand better than Milley the scale of horror waiting to be unleashed by soldiers who are expected to "just follow orders..."

...are people with numbers tattooed on their arms.

 

[Belk]

It wouldn't be Millie's job to determine if an attack was "rational". His job is to follow the president's orders. That's the chain of command.

What order are you claiming he did not follow?

 

[Aldebaran]

What order are you claiming he did not follow?

I'm not going to follow your rabbit trail.

 

[Aldebaran]

His job is to follow the president's legal orders. More than anyone else in the military, a big part of his job is determining whether those orders are legal and rational. Because if they aren't, he has to figure out the best way to avoid doing them.

If China tried invading Taiwan and Trump decided to use our military to defend Taiwan from China, and then Millie colluded with the Chinese military to undermine the United States because Millie thought Trump wasn't being "rational", Millie would still be committing treason.

 

[Belk]

I'm not going to follow your rabbit trail.

Just trying to figure out what your claims are here.

 

[Aldebaran]

Just trying to figure out what your claims are here.

Veering off-topic won't help you do that.

 

[Belk]

Veering off-topic won't help you do that.

After reviewing the thread you are correct. My apologies.

 

[Paulos23]

If China tried invading Taiwan and Trump decided to use our military to defend Taiwan from China, and then Millie colluded with the Chinese military to undermine the United States because Millie thought Trump wasn't being "rational", Millie would still be committing treason.

If China invaded Taiwan, I don't think Millie would be against defending Taiwan proportionately.

 

[Aldebaran]

If China invaded Taiwan, I don't think Millie would be against defending Taiwan proportionately.

Well, ain't that a relief! Let's hope he doesn't change his mind about that and get our soldiers killed.

General Millie should remember that his job is about defending democracy, not practicing it.

 

[Paulos23]

Well, ain't that a relief! Let's hope he doesn't change his mind about that and get our soldiers killed.

General Millie should remember that his job is about defending democracy, not practicing it.

Just pointing out that the scenario you are describing is not one that worried General Millie. Trump ordering an attack against China without provocation was the worry of China and General Mille.

 

[Yttrium]

If China tried invading Taiwan and Trump decided to use our military to defend Taiwan from China, and then Millie colluded with the Chinese military to undermine the United States because Millie thought Trump wasn't being "rational", Millie would still be committing treason.

Yes, if China actually went on the attack, then Trump would have a legitimate reason to respond.

 

[Aldebaran]

Just pointing out that the scenario you are describing is not one that worried General Millie. Trump ordering an attack against China without provocation was the worry of China and General Mille.

Then it's a sign of paranoia on Millie's part.
Another case for why he should resign.

 

[Aldebaran]

Yes, if China actually went on the attack, then Trump would have a legitimate reason to respond.

Unless Millie decided otherwise and decided to warn China.
You see, this is why the military is not a democratic entity. When the president gives an order, the generals can't stand around taking a vote on whether or not they believe it's rational--and they sure as Heck have no business warning the enemy about our actions in advance.

 

[Yttrium]

Unless Millie decided otherwise and decided to warn China.

And he wouldn't.

You see, this is why the military is not a democratic entity. When the president gives an order, the generals can't stand around taking a vote on whether or not they believe it's rational--and they sure as Heck have no business warning the enemy about our actions in advance.

Have you ever served in the military? I was active duty for fourteen years. It's not a democratic entity. But it's against the Uniform Code of Military Justice to blindly follow the orders of a superior. If you obey an illegal order, you are just as guilty as the person who ordered you. There was no "vote" here. Milley made a decision on his own. I believe it was a questionable decision, but an understandable one under the circumstances, and it's now up to his immediate superior (Biden) to decide whether or not it merits any kind of discipline.

Milley is as close as you're going to get to a Trump supporter on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He's just one of many Trump appointees who had to make a choice between loyalty to Trump or loyalty to the Constitution and the law. If he resigns, you can bet Biden will replace him with someone you won't like.