Gen. Milley delivers defense of democracy in farewell address

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Gen. Milley delivers defense of democracy in farewell address
By Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Oct 1, 10:00 AM
Col. Robert Sucher, Commander 8th and I, Marine Barracks Washington, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley salute during an inspection of the troops during an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Fort Meyer, Va.
Col. Robert Sucher, Commander 8th and I, Marine Barracks Washington, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley salute during an inspection of the troops during an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Fort Meyer, Va. (Alex Brandon/AP)

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. — Army Gen. Mark Milley delivered a full-throated defense of democracy and not-so-subtle swipes at former President Donald Trump during a packed ceremony on Friday as he closed out his four, often tumultuous years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Under cloudy skies at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Milley never mentioned the former president by name. But he practically shouted on two different occasions that the U.S. military swears to protect the Constitution “against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic.”

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT Charlie Lee] Sgt (Join to see) PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC (Join to see) Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada 1SG Patrick Burke PO2 Marco Monsalve Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Kim Patterson] SFC Ralph E Kelley SPC (Join to see) SSG William Jones LCpl James Klinicki Maj Ronald Scarpa SSG Paul Endes