United States of America chief of staff regrets accompanying Trump to protesters

Text by: RFI Follow

The U.S. Joint Chief of Staff apologizes for accompanying the president outside St. John's Church after police evacuated peaceful protesters early last week. The statement by General Mark Milley comes as the President on his Twitter thread rightly welcomes the action of the National Guard against the demonstrators.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

"  I shouldn't have been there. My presence there, right now, in this environment, created the perception that the military is involved in national politics. It was a mistake,  "said General Mark Milley in a speech to young graduates of the University of National Defense.

This remark by the Joint Chief of Staff is not the only one that risks irritating President Trump. "  We should all be proud of the fact that the vast majority of the protests were peaceful,  " added Donald Trump's military adviser. 

A direct opposite to the story that the president is trying to impose, which constantly evokes the chaos and riots caused by the death of George Floyd . This distancing from the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army is unprecedented.

General Milley was appointed by Donald Trump and his statement comes after an inflammatory rostrum of James Mattis, one of the most respected generals in the military, against the President, and after the Secretary of Defense publicly opposed the use of federal troops against the protesters, yet wanted by Donald Trump.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Donald trump
• United States

On the same subject

United States: Congressman George Floyd's brother calls for police reform

George Floyd dies: police unions step up to the plate

Death of George Floyd: first appearance of Derek Chauvin in court