Trump's top general calls former president "fascist" and "dangerous" threat
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Gen. Mark Milley in January 2023. Photo: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley said former President Trump is "a fascist to the core," according to journalist Bob Woodward's forthcoming book, "War," multiple outlets reported on Friday.
Why it matters: Milley's existing scorn for the GOP presidential nominee has escalated. "He is now the most dangerous person to this country," he told Woodward.
- "I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he's a total fascist," Milley, who served as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023, said to Woodward. The Army veteran was a source for Woodward and journalist Robert Costa's 2021 book, "Peril."
Context: Milley, who Trump nominated to be chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has previously made criticisms of the former president. Milley has been criticized by the far right.
- A never-sent draft resignation letter by Milley said Trump was "doing great and irreparable harm" to the U.S. in 2020, after police used tear gas and batons to clear protestors and journalists out of the then-president's way for a photo op.
Zoom in: Woodward's book reveals that Milley insisted on securing a meeting with Attorney General Merrick Garland to urge him to investigate domestic violent extremism and far-right militia movements after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, per the Independent.
- Milley said he was "deeply convinced" that Trump remained a danger to the U.S. after losing the 2020 presidential election.
Friction point: Milley told Woodward he fears being recalled to uniform and court-martialed if Trump wins the election, The Guardian reported.
- Trump has previously expressed wanting to court-martial retired military officers, per the Washington Post.
The other side: Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called Milley's claims "lies and misinformation" in a statement.
Flashback: Milley appeared to call Trump a "wannabe dictator" in his retirement speech last year.
- Trump had accused Milley of committing a "treasonous act" by communicating with China surrounding the Jan. 6 riot. He said Milley's punishment should be death.
- Milley testified to Congress that he made phone calls to a Chinese counterpart to assure him that the U.S. wouldn't attack China.
Go deeper:
- Scoop: Woodward's "War" reveals new Biden backstory
- Trump has had "as many as seven" phone calls with Putin since leaving office, book claims
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Trump campaign.
