Defense & National Security — Trump-Milley feud escalates

Presented by GE Aerospace — Milley is stepping down, but isn't going quietly

View Online Defense & National Security Defense & National Security PRESENTED BY The Big Story  Trump draws backlash with post going after Milley Former President Trump is furious with Gen. Mark Milley and suggested he should receive the death penalty for treason. © Getty Milley is stepping down from his post as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the end of this week, but he's not going quietly.   His latest feud with Trump has drawn broad attention after Trump said he should get the death penalty for calling his Chinese counterpart in the final days of his administration to assure Beijing that war was not imminent.   Trump's comment has sparked a fierce backlash and a round of criticism against the former president.   Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there was a "legitimate fear" that Trump could seek vengeance against his enemies if he wins a second term in the White House.   "The president has also said that a second term would be about retribution, right?" Esper said on CNN. "So, I think these are all legitimate concerns."   After the 2020 election, China was apparently concerned about a potential escalation with Trump. Esper contacted Chinese officials to assure them everything was OK, and he directed Milley to do the same.   Trump compared the move to treason. "This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!" he wrote in a post on social media.   The former president's words appear to be encouraging his allies. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) on Monday called for Milley to be "hung" for allegedly delaying a National Guard response to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.   While the Trump-Milley feud is not new, the former president's comments invoking execution are drawing fresh pushback from critics.   MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough took the GOP to task for staying silent on the issue.   "Where are these Republicans, why aren't they critical of Donald Trump for saying that about General Milley?" he asked.   Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper in a CNN interview said he agreed with Milley's comment about Trump potentially jailing his enemies if reelected and said, if that were to be the case, it would be "reprehensible."   Read a more detailed article publishing Wednesday morning on the Trump-Milley clash at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future: Canada's House speaker steps down after dubbing Nazi fighter a 'hero' Canada House Speaker Anthony Rota stepped down Tuesday amid fallout after calling a Ukrainian who fought with the Nazis during World War II a "hero" during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. "It is with a heavy heart that I informed the House of Commons of my resignation as Speaker," Rota wrote Tuesday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "It has been my greatest honor as a parliamentarian to serve as Speaker in the 43rd and 44th Parliaments."  Full Story Kremlin vows first US-made M1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine will 'burn' Russia vowed Tuesday to "burn" the first of the U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks that arrived in Ukraine a day prior, insisting the weapons will not help Kyiv in the fight. "All this can in no way affect the essence of the [special military operation] and its outcome," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told members of the media, as reported by multiple outlets. "There is no panacea, no single weapon that can change the balance of power on the battlefield."   Full Story Russia says naval commander alive despite Ukraine's claims Russia is disputing a claim that a top naval commander was killed during a massive Ukrainian strike last week in the Black Sea, broadcasting video Tuesday that featured an appearance by the admiral during a briefing. Adm. Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet, was present via video stream during a briefing with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, according to a video shared by Russian state-run media …  Full Story On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  The second Republican presidential debate airs on Wednesday night, with candidates expected to discuss key defense and national security issues. The House Armed Services Committee holds a 10 a.m. ET hearing on unaccompanied military housing. The Senate Intelligence Committee will discuss countering Chinese "malign operations" in the U.S. during a 2:30 p.m. hearing. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: FDNY deaths from 9/11 illnesses now equal those killed in the attack "We have long known this day was coming, yet its reality is astounding just the same." Full Story A MESSAGE FROM GE AEROSPACE Congress renews support for advanced engine technology   Congress supports funding for advanced engines in FY24, to advance fighter engine technologies—like GE Aerospace's revolutionary XA100 adaptive engine—which strengthen the industrial-base, foster competition, and increase innovation. Learn more.   On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The Cato Institute unpacks the U.S.-Saudi relationship for a 12 p.m. in-person event. The United States Institute for Peace chats on security in the Pacific islands for a 2 p.m. online event.  The Foundation for Defense of Democracies talks with Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) on how to protect American national security on international investments during a 4:30 p.m. online event. The Atlantic Council discusses an "approach to countering Beijing's military-civil fusion" for an online event at 2 p.m.  The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft talks on the relationship between the financial sector and the military-industrial complex for an 11 a.m. online event. What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Death toll rises after explosion at Nagorno-Karabakh fuel depot (The New York Times) Philippines vows not to back down as China warns against 'trouble' at disputed shoal (Reuters) Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Senate votes to advance short-term funding bill to avoid government shutdown  The Senate voted Tuesday to advance a short-term funding measure to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the week. The Senate voted 77 to 19 to … Read more AI girlfriends are ruining an entire generation of men The young men who will play a huge role in determining our nation's future are going there with AI girlfriends in their pockets. Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: House Republican isolationists are threatening to make Russia great again The West has a massive Chinese spy problem   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Defense page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view all our topical emails here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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