Contacts with China: Joe Biden reaffirms his support for his chief of staff
General Mark Milley is accused of overstepping his duties by phoning his Chinese counterpart at the end of 2020 due to his concerns about Donald Trump's mental health.
© Pool via CNP / Newscom / SIPA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The book of journalists of the "
Washington Post
",
Bob Woodward and Robert Costa just keeps making waves in the United States.
He reveals that U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley has twice called on his Chinese counterpart to end the Trump presidency.
The Republicans are demanding his departure or even his judgment, but Mark Milley enjoys strong support.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Guillaume Naudin
"
I have great confidence in Mark Milley
".
The short sentence, clear, crisp and precise, is signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, September 15.
She weighs with all her weight as the most senior general in the American military hierarchy has been the subject of criticism since the revelations of the book entitled
Peril
to be published in a few days.
According to the authors, worried about Donald Trump's mental health,
Mark Milley twice called his Chinese counterpart
to reassure him of his country's military intentions, even going so far as to tell him that he would warn him in advance by case of attack.
Denial
In a letter to President Biden, Republican Senator from Florida Marco Rubio calls for his resignation for undermining the authority of his former commander-in-chief.
The latter, Donald Trump, explains that he never intended to attack China and accuses the military leader of treason.
On the contrary, General Milley makes it known via his spokesperson that by calling his Chinese counterpart as he does regularly with other high-ranking officers from third countries, and by ensuring that the procedures for launching strikes are respected and pass through him, he acted in accordance with the Constitution and he did not bypass the civilian leaders.
"
His appeals to the Chinese and others in October and January were in line with (his) duties and responsibilities to convey assurances to maintain strategic stability
," the staff spokesperson also said, Colonel Dave Butler, in a press release.
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United States
Donald trump
Joe biden
Defense
China