***BREAKING*** Top general apologizes for appearing in photo-op with Trump after forceful removal of

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Washington (CNN)America's top general is apologizing for appearing in a photo-op with President Donald Trump after the forceful dispersal of protesters outside the White House last week, saying the move was a "mistake."

Gen. Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also said that he was "outraged" by the killing of George Floyd and added that the protests it sparked spoke to "centuries of injustice toward African Americans."
"As senior leaders, everything you do will be closely watched. And I am not immune. As many of you saw, the result of the photograph of me at Lafayette Square last week. That sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society," Milley, said in a pre-recorded speech to a group of graduates from the National Defense University released on Thursday.
"I should not have been there. My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it," he added.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/politics/milley-trump-appearance-mistake/index.html

[Kahuna]

1. This is YUUUUUGE! NT

[Happy Hoosier]

2. Trumplethinskin is NOT gonna like that.

Expect a "loser general" comment soon.

[GoCubsGo]

3. Better late than never, I guess.

My heart says, "Fuck him and the horse he rode in on." My head says, "I hope he's coming to his senses, and that he's trying to jump off the Trumptanic. Whatever it takes..."

[Cirque du So-What]

4. While this does not rise to the level of open revolt

it serves notice to Hair Furor that the military will cease serving as extras in his strutting-ass shit show.

[grumpyduck]

31. Hair Furor????

[LakeArenal]

5. I couldn't believe how great that speech was.

No politics. Oath to Constitution. Not a Republican messenger. Should not have been in Lafayette Square. Need more minority officers.

Again a speech a president should make.

[uponit7771]

6. Ummmm, nope ... unless its repeated before the troops etc. People don't understand how bad it

... was for a general to appear in a political photo op with Trump and not bow up before the pictures were taken or not say something the next day.

Nope ... this general needs to say more and often

[gratuitous]

11. Repeat it before the troops, then repeat it to 330 million Americans

Then maybe one more time, just so we can see if the lesson has been learned. One taped apology to the National Defense University a week after the fact doesn't cut it. Gen. Milley is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and before June 1 apparently didn't have an understanding of what being in that position means. Are you fucking shittin' me?

[uponit7771]

14. Yep, a flag officer taking a political photo op like that is straight out of Russia or some shit...

... now troops have to be extra concerned about decisions being political

[llmart]

25. +1

That's the essence of it in one post. You either have a set of core principles that you live by and stand up for even when it's not comfortable, or you wait until you think it's acceptable to jump on the bandwagon when others have come before you and done the right thing from the start.

I guess it's better than nothing, but only just a little.

[SledDriver]

36. This exactly

The chairman of the JCS should have enough political savvy to know better, and if he doesn't then shouldn't be in that position.

[Farmgirl1961]

7. And that is how it is done

Taking responsibility, apologizing and being part of the solution. Huge indeed! Let us hope this is a continuing trend and I hope to hell it pisses off Trump and his asshole minions.

[malaise]

8. One by one the institutions are standing up to this fascist monster

Five months of fun before he's gone - ridicule the fool!

[melman]

9. Trying to play it both ways

He knew full well what he was doing when he did it. No taking it back.

[leftieNanner]

29. Shari Lewis and Lambchop!!!

Thanks for the grin this morning. One of my favorites as a child.

And you are correct. He should have know in that moment that it was wrong. Military leaders must make the right call the first time.

[George II]

54. That was a popular GIF on Conservative Cave a while back, except they used Hillary's face on Shari.

[BamaRefugee]

37. Exactly. Surprised he didn't toss in "I am not a racist"

[FarPoint]

10. Good...but I don't accept his apology.

He knew exactly what was happening....

[young_at_heart]

13. I agree!

The damage has already been done!

[FarPoint]

15. He is doing a clean-up in aisle 6 routine...

It's all about him...no sense of true remorse, shock...and let's look...How long did it take him to come up with this milk toast apology?

[Lucky Luciano]

30. Milquetoast

[FarPoint]

46. Hahaha thank you...

I will try and remember...can't promise.

[Lucky Luciano]

49. I can one-up you though! Soochers instead of sutures!! Haha!!

Some years back - That was pretty embarrassing! Such a common word that I heard, but never read and thus had no clue how far off I was!

[FarPoint]

50. Hahaha..

Now that's one word I do know... I'm a Nurse... hahaha.

[uponit7771]

20. Right !!!

[Autumn]

12. He knew exactly what he was doing. I have a suggestion as to what he can do with his "apology".

It involves a place where the sun does not shine.

[helpisontheway]

16. He does not mean it. He can take that apology and stick it where the sun don't shine

He is only apologizing because people criticized him for being there. Why was he wearing camouflage?

[DenverJared]

17. He needs to resign and retire from the military.

That would make it a true act of contrition.

[rockfordfile]

35. I agree

[mnmoderatedem]

18. it's no longer a question of IF trump's stupid stunt backfired

it's on how many levels

[mcar]

19. Can't wait to hear Kayleigh Liar's spin on this

[grumpyduck]

21. I'm surprised at the angry responses here.

Yes he knew what was going on and probably felt he had to go, although there have been reports that he slid out of the photo itself. The military is supposed to be non-political, but the guy was between a rock and a hard place.

However, blaming him for what he did is, IMHO, tunnel vision. The bigger part of this is that one more military person -- in this case, the senior active-duty officer -- is protesting the current regime's intent of bringing the military into action in the U.S. That is a huge statement.

Besides, and this may have been an accident, if he had just not gone, no one would have noticed. He could have said he didn't want to, and it wouldn't have made the news at all. But for him to say he was wrong -- that's what the media calls news, and it's made the news: the military says it wants no part of this bullshit.

[FarPoint]

22. We liberals tend to over analyze situations...

tend to always fall on side of compassion...to our demise often...So today, I stand with my " Apology Not Accepted"...It was obvious he was fully engaged into the battlefield mode"...He has always understood what that action was all about.. military firing on peaceful citizens...I currently won't make this easy for this one and whoever follows thru on the next assault on American Citizens.

[grumpyduck]

24. Okay, fair enough.

We can agree to disagree.

[scarletlib]

27. Excellent analysis.

I agree with you.

[mnmoderatedem]

32. me too

let's not lose sight of the fact that this REALLY makes trump look bad.

Not that he needs any help in that department

[C_U_L8R]

23. He apologizes for being there.

He really needs to apologize for not doing anything.
I appreciate his small effort but the General proves to be no leader.
I hate these non-apologies.

[hopeforchange2008]

26. OMG - this makes me think there is hope!

Thank you General Miley!!!

[grumpyduck]

33. Yes it does,

but at his point he's probably ready to retire anyway.

And things being what they are, he would probably be offered all kinds of jobs and maybe a book deal. So he won't be hurting.

[sarisataka]

45. There is no risk, no sacrifice too great

Last edited Thu Jun 11, 2020, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

That some posters are willing to let others take

[rockfordfile]

34. BS He knew exactly . Another pos un-American weasel. I like people that are true

I'm watching right-wing Nazis on trial from years ago and he sounds the same with the excuses.

He should quit

[VOX]

38. Another nazi-esque "did it but didn't mean it." And Fox will NEVER report the "didn't mean it" part.

Which is why this guy’s apology is worthless. It will remain forever buried in the deplorables’ disinformation sources.

[BamaRefugee]

39. He probably also had an "apology" ready for causing the deaths of protestors, if it was needed.

Screw him.
And we have to rid ourselves of the koombaya, hands across the aisle mentality that rightwingers KNOW we have.
The only thing they HAVE EVER DONE when we reach out to them is to pull us down and kneel on our necks.
NO MORE.

[Lucinda]

40. Thank you General Milley

[Greybnk48]

41. Do guys like Milley usually wear fatigues to the White House,

Or did the fucker do a costume change for the event?

I hope his career is over.

[obamanut2012]

51. No, he was in battle dress aka ACUs

They usually wear dress blues/ASU for meeting folks like a President.

ACUs are worn in combat zones or garrisons, never when meeting someone formally.

So, yeah, he did this intentionally and with premeditation.

[Greybnk48]

53. Thanks. I thought so and shame on him.

I think he's feeling it.

[benld74]

42. And NOTHING on his lone night walk

As though he was making sure ALL was still quiet & safe?

[obamanut2012]

52. Yup, and still in battle dress ACUs

[Cha]

43. WOW! Thank Goodness.. because that was

Creepy!

Take that BLOATUS.. you ******* Wannabe DICtator.

[BrightKnight]

44. It was only acceptable response but WTF was he thinking when he did it!! nt

I guess it is good that he appears to have drawn the line.

[sarisataka]

47. For those who believe Gen. Milley is beyond redemption

That he should resign or be removed-

Do you believe Trump will appoint someone better to the position of Chairman? Will it be an improvement to remove an officer who admitted a mistake and instead have an officer who, when commanded to put 10,000 active duty troops on the streets, will reply "Zu befehl" click his heels and send the troops out?

[OnDoutside]

48. I wonder at what point did he realise he disgraced himself ? #ETTD