On Monday, the Pentagon removed a photo of General Mark A. Milley, who had previously served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The portrait was located in a corridor of the facility that was packed with paintings of all of military leaders who came before him.
The decision to remove the portrait was an early salvo fired by the new administration against a military establishment that President Trump has criticized for a variety of perceived crimes. The portrait was removed as part of this early offensive.
In particular, the president has voiced his displeasure with the general’s phone talks to his Chinese counterpart during the final weeks of Mr. Trump’s first term in office. A move which Trump has long contended constituted a form of serious betrayal.
During the final days of the administration of Vice President Joe Biden, the portrait of General Milley, who has since retired, was shown last week.
It had been taken down by authorities from the Pentagon less than two hours after Mr. Trump had taken the oath of office into office.
“The White House” provided the order for the removal, according to a United States official. The official chose not to answer any further questions.
The phrase “a woke train wreck” was used by Mr. Trump to describe General Milley.
Prior to General Milley’s departure from office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. granted him a pre-emptive pardon.
Due to the fact that the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is considered to be politically neutral, the removal of the general’s photo is historically unique.
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