Should Gen Mark Milley's actions be investigated for treason? Did he commit an act of treason?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:04:11 -0400

If it's true the CJCS informed the Chinese that he would warn them of nuclear attack should he face court martial or tried for treason? If he called just to inform them that the US arsenal was secure after Jan 6th, should he face any repercussions?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2021 6:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:03:19 -0400

His only bosses are the SecDef and the POTUS. Unless those two decide to take action....ain't nothing gonna happen.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2021 6:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:14:42 -0400

Can’t have treason if there is no enemy

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 16 at 2021 6:24 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:24:18 -0400

I have never been CJCS or even a General. Heck, I've never even been an Officer.

But....

I have to imagine that at least *part* of the job of the CJCS is interfacing with foreign Generals and discussing strategic agreements. He is not the State Department, and should not be *creating* or *authorizing* strategic agreements but laying the foundations prior to, and then discussing implementation afterwards I would imagine as part of his bailiwick.

So, in that light, stating that, yes, our nuclear arms are secure, would not be a violation. Telling them he would warn of nuclear attack walks dangerously close - but *talking about* doing something is different than actually *doing* it.

Either way, it would not be treason unless we are actually at war with China, which we are not. They can be accurately described as an adversary or possibly even a hostile power. But not an actual war-time enemy.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 16 at 2021 6:35 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:35:34 -0400

No, look up why hot lines between Moscow and US were put in.

Response by SGM Tr Williams made Sep 16 at 2021 6:38 PM

SGM Tr Williams — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:38:32 -0400

No. He is doing his job. The heck with Trump - he is a FORMER president. He is not the Commander IN Chief now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2021 7:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 19:31:47 -0400

I don't see how anyone can not look at someone usurping the chain of command and telling our geopolitical enemy that they will receive forewarning of an attack as anything but treason. The argument that he just talked about something, and didn't actually do anything, doesn't hold water for me. He actively told our adversaries that he would betray the United States given certain conditions. The military has civilian command for a reason. There is no argument were senior military brass going rogue is acceptable, and that's exactly what was being discussed.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 16 at 2021 8:16 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 20:16:33 -0400

We need to get to the point in this country where one side stops pouncing on "stories" if it makes the other side look bad. As a Trump supporter (pretty sure that will get me on a list), I hated it when every week there was a new "horrible thing" about him, only to find out later that most of it was bs. Hate it now, too, when it is happening to a President I dislike. The media (TV, print and book) is around for one thing, and one thing only.... to make money. SFC Private RallyPoint Member Not going after you specifically Jason, just got upset at the 4 billionth story today about this same thing. Let's wait until there is an investigation, or a release of the transcript and go from there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2021 8:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 20:28:30 -0400

Based on what I've read about this - even from FoxNews - he never had any "secret" meeting without approval. Both Esper and Miller approved the two calls he made to the China defense chief. He didn't say he'd warn them of any nuclear attack. They were concerned because they were getting crappy intel that there was going to be some kind of attack by America - and there wasn't. So he was reassuring them that intel was wrong. And then reassured them after Jan 6 that things were not falling apart in the US. That's it.

Also there's no way to charge him with treason when we aren't in declared war against a declared enemy.

This has been addressed on multiple threads. If Congress wants to look into it with whatever authority they can, go ahead. But there's really no way to charge him with treason based on what I've read.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 16 at 2021 9:04 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 21:04:36 -0400

Whole lotta speculation but I've thought about this a little and if he called the Chinese and explicitly said something like "If we're going to bomb you, I'll let you know" then that needs to be investigated at a minimum. If it leads to a legal action so be it. However, I just don't see that playing out. It sounds uncharacteristic and wild thing to do for someone in his position and with his career. If he called the Chinese after Jan 6th just to reassure them the government wasn't compromised and thus our military, including its nuclear arsenal, were still secure - than he deserves an award.

Response by SPC Jesse Davis made Sep 16 at 2021 11:10 PM

SPC Jesse Davis — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 23:10:33 -0400

Need to make up your minds on whether Trump was actually planning to nuke China before whining about the people taking real responsibility in that admin.

Response by SSG Robert Velasco made Sep 17 at 2021 2:07 AM

SSG Robert Velasco — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 02:07:59 -0400

I'm not touching this because I know one side or the other would not like my opinion.

Response by SSG Russell Busicchia made Sep 17 at 2021 10:53 AM

SSG Russell Busicchia — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 10:53:52 -0400

Not sure if GEN Milley made any UCMJ violation or not. However, in my opinion, no one from DOD should have made those calls. This is a political issue and should have been handled by the State Department. The military does not set policy or declare war Pompeo should have made that call. If GEN Milley said that he would give the Chinese a heads up for any attack by the US he did show lack of judgement. Never tell an opponent what you might do. I do not agree with much of what GEN Milley has done but that is to the DOD and POTUS. I would give GEN Milley one piece of advice, be careful the Democrats will need a scapegoat about Afghanistan, watch your back.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 17 at 2021 12:02 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 12:02:21 -0400

In my humble non law opinion he did not commit treason, but is it considered a high crime? Possibly. McChrystal got hammered for less.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 17 at 2021 12:25 PM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 12:25:17 -0400

18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
No mention of having to be at war. Treason can be committed during peacetime. SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 12:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 12:46:47 -0400

No.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Sep 17 at 2021 1:53 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:53:18 -0400

As we all know, the JCS has the mission to "Train and Equip" the US Armed Forces. There are no combat and/or operations authority in the JCS. The Chair of the JCS cannot make or stop any combat action. That line of command goes from the POTUS (whatever your opinion is) through the SECDEF to the CoComs (Combatant Commanders). It's possible that GEN Milley would know the DEFCON, however that's never been kept any kind of secret. As far as combat orders, I am not sure he would even know if anything gets issued; I doubt that there is a requirement to do so.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Sep 17 at 2021 2:58 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:58:28 -0400

I respect this General for preventing a disaster that could have been immoral and criminal. Once Donald lost the election, his profound disordered personality spun out of control (decompensation) he clinically posed a grave risk to national security.
And I remember when I served that my duty is to protect the Constitution from all domestic and foreign enemies; and that I could refuse an order when I deemed to illegal/immoral.
Rich

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 4:08 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:08:35 -0400

No, and no.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 4:24 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:24:52 -0400

He is far from one of the best CJCS we’ve had but unless there is concrete evidence he undermined POTUS then I say let it go. Let DOD release transcript of call to Congress as oversight. If they won’t release then that is when I would get suspicious. Treason is a serious charge that shouldn’t be tossed around with ease.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 17 at 2021 8:46 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 20:46:06 -0400

I think yes, and he should also be looked at and evaluated for a violation of AR 600-9. Whip out that Tape!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 10:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 10:13:17 -0400

I believe the allegation should be investigated. Remember the allegation came from an author who want to sell books. If allegations are true, he should be put on trial for treason. Let not use media to conduct trial.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 11:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 11:31:18 -0400

This makes me want to watch Dr. Strangelove again.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 19 at 2021 3:13 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:13:41 -0400

If true, he should definitely be tried for high treasonous behavior, and sentenced accordingly brother SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSgt Joseph Townsend made Nov 20 at 2021 9:12 PM

MSgt Joseph Townsend — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:12:32 -0500

No. He was operatig within his chain of command .

Response by PO1 Robert Bush made Nov 21 at 2021 5:42 PM

PO1 Robert Bush — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 17:42:16 -0500

Yes

Response by COL Andrew Burns made Nov 28 at 2021 9:28 AM

COL Andrew Burns — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 09:28:13 -0500

Who says that GO's don't shit the bed occasionally? Poor judgement on his part. Perception is half the battle. The DOD IG should investigate (but the investigator has to be senior in rank, and that will be tough but not impossible),and should it be criminal, it would be referred for charges. If it is not of a criminal nature then he would face NJP (non-judicial punishment/repremand, etc). God, I actually remember something from IG School??????

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2021 3:32 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 03:32:51 -0500

The CJCS operates in both political and military arenas. As such, the role can be more about politics than many are comfortable with. Most officers above the rank of O-4 and NCOs above the rank of E6 understand that politics influences promotions, assignments, retention and training at some point in their career. However, officers learn this as a result of the Senate confirmation processes. The higher up in rank, the more intrusive this process can become. By the time you reach 4 Stars, you are completely imbedded into the political system. So, Mark Milley's actions were strictly political in nature. However, his leadership with regard to the Afghanistan withdraw/retreat is a different matter. And there should be an investigation into that but political considerations will ensure it is delayed or denied until all of the players have left office.