Pete Hegseth Moves Against Retired General Mark Milley,
Stripping Security Detail and Ordering Investigation

Washington, D.C. — In one of his first major acts since taking office, new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved against retired General Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revoking his security detail and ordering an inspector general investigation into his conduct. The decision, confirmed by a senior defense official, signals a sharp shift in the Pentagon’s leadership under the new administration.

Milley, who served as the nation’s top military officer from 2019 to 2023, frequently found himself at odds with President Donald J. Trump, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the Capitol. His tenure was marked by tensions with Trump allies, especially over his public statements regarding civilian control of the military and his warnings against political interference in military affairs.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said that Milley’s security detail—provided due to concerns over threats against him—would be withdrawn immediately. The official also confirmed that the Department of Defense’s inspector general has been tasked with reviewing Milley’s actions during and after his tenure. While the precise focus of the investigation remains unclear, it follows years of criticism from Trump and his allies, who have accused Milley of overstepping his authority.

A Politicized Reckoning

The move comes amid broader efforts by the new administration to reshape the Pentagon and reassert control over military leadership. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and a longtime supporter of Trump, was confirmed as Defense Secretary earlier this month in a highly contentious Senate vote. His appointment signaled a sharp ideological turn for the Department of Defense, as he has been vocal about purging what he calls the Pentagon’s “woke” culture and restoring loyalty to the commander in chief.

Milley’s clashes with Trump were well-documented. In 2021, Milley confirmed that he had made backchannel reassurances to China in the final months of Trump’s presidency, a move he later defended as an effort to maintain stability and prevent misunderstandings that could have led to conflict. Trump and his allies have called those actions tantamount to treason.

In his farewell speech in 2023, Milley warned against efforts to politicize the military, stating, “We don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We take an oath to the Constitution.” His remarks were widely seen as a rebuke of Trump’s attempts to assert greater control over the military.

Implications for Military Independence

Critics argue that Hegseth’s actions against Milley amount to political retribution and could have a chilling effect on military leaders who seek to maintain independence from partisan influence. “This sets a dangerous precedent,” said a former senior Pentagon official who worked under multiple administrations. “Punishing retired military leaders for perceived disloyalty is the kind of thing we see in authoritarian regimes, not in the United States.”

Supporters of the move, however, argue that Milley had overstepped his authority and that an investigation is necessary to ensure military leaders remain accountable. “Milley acted as though he was above civilian leadership,” said a senior Republican aide on Capitol Hill. “This is about restoring order and ensuring that no one undermines the commander in chief.”

As the investigation unfolds, the decision to revoke Milley’s security protection raises concerns about his personal safety. The retired general has faced threats in the past, particularly after becoming a target of right-wing criticism. It remains unclear whether he will seek alternative protection.

The developments mark a dramatic escalation in the ongoing struggle over the future of the U.S. military’s role in politics. As the new administration consolidates power, the treatment of Milley could serve as a litmus test for how far it is willing to go in reshaping the defense establishment—and whether political retribution will become a new norm in civil-military relations.

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