Military Leaders Defend Afghanistan Withdrawal, Contradict Biden in Senate Hearing
Gen. Milley defends calls to Chinese: ‘I was certain’ Trump wouldn’t order attack
America’s top general on Tuesday vehemently defended his Jan. 8 phone call with Chinese military leaders, telling lawmakers that he was “certain” then-President Donald Trump wouldn’t order an attack on Beijing and wanted to convey that reassuring message to his Chinese counterparts.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, pushed back on the narrative that he went around Mr. Trump out of fear the president might order an attack on China during his final days in office.
Top generals contradict Biden, say they advised leaving 2,500 troops in Afghanistan
Top military officials told lawmakers on Tuesday that they had recommended 2,500 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan, contradicting comments made by President Biden earlier this year.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, each acknowledged during public congressional testimony that they agreed with the recommendation of Army Gen. Austin Miller that 2,500 troops be left in the country, though they denied to detail what they advised Biden directly.
Live updates: Milley, Austin and McKenzie to testify before Congress on Afghanistan, China
The nation's top military leaders will face lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday in a hearing expected to touch on some of the most contentious national security challenges facing the country.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday and House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.