Republican Senators Urge DOD Watchdog to Investigate Allegations Against Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley

Republican Senators Urge DOD Watchdog to Investigate Allegations Against Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley

Republican senators are renewing their calls for the Pentagon’s watchdog to look into alleged misconduct by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. The renewed request focuses on accusations that Milley attempted to undermine the chain of command, as reported by Fox News Digital.

Senators Chuck Grassley from Iowa and Jim Banks from Indiana wrote a letter to Steven Stebbins, the acting inspector general of the Department of Defense. This letter, which was obtained by Fox News Digital, reiterates their previous request made in 2022 for a thorough review of Milley’s conduct.

In the letter, Grassley and Banks emphasized the urgency of addressing their concerns regarding Milley’s behavior during his tenure as Chairman. They stated, “We are writing to ensure that our concerns about alleged misconduct by the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, are finally addressed.”

Request for Independent Review

The senators initially requested an independent investigation on August 17, 2022, when Banks served as chair of the House Republican Study Committee. However, the investigation was closed by the former inspector general without providing satisfactory responses to their inquiries.

Recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revitalized this investigation. He has directed the acting inspector general to re-examine Milley’s alleged misconduct, particularly actions that purportedly sought to undermine the military chain of command. Hegseth aims to determine if there is sufficient evidence for Milley to potentially lose his rank upon retirement.

Grassley and Banks noted that Hegseth’s inquiry aligns with their request. While Hegseth’s investigation takes precedence, the senators expect to receive updated answers following its completion.

Triggered by Explosive Statements

The inquiry stems from significant revelations made by Milley in various books, notably “Peril” by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. In these accounts, Milley made remarks that appeared to be derogatory toward his Commander-in-Chief, and he allegedly sought to insert himself into the nuclear command chain, despite lacking the authority to do so.

Grassley and Banks highlighted Milley’s communication with his Chinese counterparts, where he assured them of advanced notice before any potential U.S. actions against China. In 2021, Milley confirmed he had indeed communicated these assurances to his Chinese counterpart, justifying his actions as a response to intelligence indicating heightened Chinese concerns over possible escalation.

Although Milley claimed that he would not alert any enemy about U.S. military plans, the implications of his statements have raised significant questions.

Concerns Over Military Integrity

The reports suggest Milley perceived then-President Donald Trump as being in “serious mental decline,” which he believed could lead to irrational military decisions, including the potential use of nuclear weapons. This perception prompted Milley to express intentions to take all necessary precautions against what he described as a