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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley admitted during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday that he spoke to several reporters for their high-profile books on the final months of the Trump administration.
“General Milley, yes or no to that,” began the exchange with Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. “Have you spoken to [Washington Post journalists] Bob Woodward or Robert Costa for their book ‘Peril?’ “
“Woodward, yes. Costa, no,” Milley replied.
“Have you spoken to [Washington Post reporters] Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker for their book “I Alone Can Fix It? “, Blackburn asked.
“Yes,” Milley replied quickly.
MILEY SECRETLY CALLED CHINESE OFFICIALS BY LEAK TRUMP ‘WOULD ATTACK’ IN LAST DAYS, BOOK CLAIM
“Have you spoken to [Wall Street Journal reporter] Michael Bender for his book “Frankly, We Won This Election: The Inside Story of Trump’s Loss? Yes or no? “, Followed the legislator.
“Yes,” the general replied.
“And were you accurately portrayed in these books? Blackburn asked.
“I haven’t read any of the books,” Milley admitted. ” I do not know. I’ve seen the press talk about it. I haven’t read the books.
The senator told Milley to “read the books” and let the committee know if the books accurately describe him, to which Milley replied, “Absolutely.”
Blackburn’s line of questioning follows the controversy that erupted in Woodward and Costa’s book “Peril,” which publicized Milley’s interactions with his Chinese counterparts towards the end of the Trump presidency.
In his opening statement, Milley remained defiant about his calls with China, insisting that these communications were routine and directed by the directives of the Defense Ministry. However, he did not respond to a key quote believed to be from a transcript of his call with General Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army, vowing that he would warn the CCP if President Trump launched an attack.
During the second round of questioning, Blackburn continued to grill Milley on his communications with reporters.
“Have you discussed any private meetings with the president or White House officials?” Blackburn asked.
“Um, White House officials maybe. The president, I don’t think so,” Milley recalled, later insisting that none of his “private” conversations with Trump had been discussed.
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When asked if he had portrayed Trump in a “negative light” or if he was “critical” of his former boss, Milley responded by saying none of his own observations had been made, but “maybe” he echoed the feelings conveyed to him.
“Well, I look forward to your book report on this,” Blackburn told Milley.
The GOP lawmaker then accused Milley of “leaking” information (of which he rejected such a characterization) to authors they “have no right to know” and lambasted him for being so open to reporters about the previous administration, but declined to tell the Senate committee. about his conversations with President Biden regarding the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Blackburn then berated Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who offered their testimony in addition to Milley.
“Maybe we’ll remember you three as the three who broke the army,” Blackburn said.
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