‘New Era Of Accountability’: Hegseth Strips Gen. Mark Milley’s Security Detail

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly told retired Gen. Mark Milley that he is revoking his personal security detail and security clearance following allegations he undermined the chain of command during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Multiple senior administration officials confirmed to Fox News that the Pentagon will remove a second portrait of Milley, meaning his image will no longer be displayed in the building. They also said a newly convened review board will determine whether enough evidence exists to strip him of a star for alleged attempts to “undermine the chain of command.”

One official reportedly said, “There is a new era of accountability in the Defense Department under President Trump’s leadership—and that’s exactly what the American people expect.” The first portrait of Milley was taken down on Inauguration Day last week, just after President Joe Biden granted him a preemptive pardon in one of his final actions in office.

Gen. Milley had been afforded added protective measures after threats were leveled by Iran following the 2020 U.S. drone strike targeting General Qasem Soleimani. The extra security detail was also extended to other top officials, such as John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, following threats of Iranian retaliation. Shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, the security details for these officials were revoked, with many GOP lawmakers expressing concern over Trump’s decision.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that he wished the president would “revisit” the decision affecting John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Brian Hook, who served in high-profile national security roles and likely still had legitimate safety concerns.

In addition to serving as the Army’s chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, Milley was still on active duty as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he reportedly conveyed private misgivings about President Trump in a March 6, 2023, conversation. According to a newly published book titled “War,” Gen. Milley told author Bob Woodward that he believed the then-commander-in-chief was “fascist to the core!”

Another work, “Peril,” by Woodward and Robert Costa, separately claimed that Milley called his Chinese counterpart twice during Trump’s first term to help maintain calm between the two nuclear-armed nations.