A top US military official says that he was wrong to join President Trump during his controversial walk to the damaged church near the White House. Gen Mark Milley said on Thursday that the June 1 event, when the federal law enforcement agencies cleared the public park using tear gas and pepper bullets, for President to join the photo session, his participation in the walk created a perception of military involvement in local politics.
Trump walked to church and held a Bible in his hand in front of the media. His move was criticized by his opponents; however, he defended his visit and said that people liked his walk to the historic church. The archbishop of the church also accused President of using the church for political point-scoring.
The incumbent president has often referred to law and order and threatened to deploy the military to quell the unrest in the cities across the US. Some of the protests in the initial stages did turn violent in Minneapolis and there were also reports of looting in many cities.
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Four police officers, including Derek Chauvin, the man seen in the video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 minutes, were charged. The protests have been largely peaceful, spawning an international movement against racial inequality and police brutality.
While talking to the commencement ceremony at the National Defense University, the chairman of joint chiefs of staff regretted his decision to join Trump in his walk. He added that his presence created a perception of the military’s involvement in domestic politics.
Milley further said that the armed forces must hold dear the principle of staying apolitical, which is deeply rooted in the American constitution. He also expressed his frustration and anger over the ‘’senseless’’ killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Gen Mark Milley said that the protests ensued not only to his death but also centuries of racial injustice toward African Americans. During the walk with the president, the general was wearing his uniform, and critics asserted that this suggested his support for the deployment of the army against peaceful demonstrators.
Mark Esper, the Defense Secretary, also joined Trump in his walk. However, he has not said that it was wrong for him to do so. Talking to a news conference, he suggested that the walk was for a different purpose of assessing damage and mingling with troops.
Several military officials have come out publically against Trump’s law and order approach and his statement on deploying the military against the protesters. James Mattis, a retired military general, and former defense secretary, also said that he never dreamed that army would be deployed to violate the constitutional rights of the American citizens.
Given his senior position in the military, this statement from Gen Mark Milley is a far rarer and more stunning public break from Donald Trump.
