General Milley says he wasn’t trying to undermine Trump’s call in China

WASHINGTON – General Mark Milley on Tuesday defended calls he made to a Chinese official at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, saying other administration officials were aware of the calls and that they were not intended to “usurp authority”.

“The calls of October 30 and January 8 were coordinated before and after with the secretary [Mark] Esper and Acting Secretary [Chris] Miller’s staffs and the interagency, “Milley said in an opening statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“My task at the time was to defuse,” he said.

Milley said he made the calls to assure Chinese officials there would be no US military attacks after intelligence officials reported concerns the Chinese believed such typing was possible.

“At no time have I attempted to change or influence the process, usurp authority or fit into the chain of command, but I am expected to give my opinion and make sure the president is fully informed, “he said.

The second appeal, Jan.8, came two days after a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

Milley said the October call was made under Esper’s direction, and the second was made at the request of the Chinese and coordinated with Miller’s office.

Additionally, he told senators he knew Trump was not planning to attack China.

“I know, I’m sure, President Trump had no intention of attacking the Chinese and it is my direct responsibility – to convey presidential orders and intent,” he said. .

Milley was at the center of a firestorm amid reports that he called in General Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army to assure him that the United States was not suddenly going to war or attack China.

During the questioning portion of the hearing, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Asked Milley to confirm that he had spoken to the authors of the book “Peril” with Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, where the descriptions of the calls were first detailed in extracts.

“Woodward yes, Costa no,” Milley said in response to the question. When asked if he was accurately portrayed, Milley told Blackburn that he hadn’t read the book, she urged him to do so and come back to her, in which he replied: “Happy to do so.” “