OPINION:
“Trump launches broadside against Milley over ‘coup’ reports” (Web, July 15) seems to put Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a no-win situation. Milley’s failure to disclaim or deny the main points of the article when directly asked during his press conference July 21 further damages his ability to be a non-political military officer. He should consider immediate retirement.
On one side of the story, Milley is talking to an author, while in office, about what he is thinking is a possible coup by President Donald Trump. If this is true and he believed it, Milley should have been resigning as chairman and talking to the FBI. Both these actions are in violation of Milley’s his oath of office to the U.S. Constitution.
On the other side of the story, Milley is supposedly talking to someone about his contention that “Trump and his backers” are comparable “to Naxi brownshirts.” If this is true, Milley should have resigned and spoken to the FBI, not anyone else.
In both of these cases, determining the validity shouldn’t be too difficult, as the author to whom Milley spoke would probably be ready and able to either back up his reports or declare them false.
A general officer in the highest post in the U.S. military should be beyond reproach and impartial. If they are not, they should resign.
The U.S. Army used to use the slogan “Be all that you can be.” This slogan was probably in use when Milley joined — but it seems he may not have taken it to heart.
JAMES KOUT
Bowie, Md.
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