Pentagon Removes Milley's Portrait Post-Inauguration

The portrait of retired General Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was removed from a Pentagon hallway shortly after President Donald Trump's second inauguration, sparking widespread speculation. This action followed a period of intense public friction between Milley and Trump, especially after Milley allegedly contacted his Chinese counterpart to prevent potential conflicts post-2020 elections, leading Trump to accuse him of treason. On his last day in office, former President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Milley to protect him from potential political retribution by the incoming administration. Despite the removal, neither the Pentagon nor the White House has provided a clear explanation for the portrait's disappearance. Milley, who served from 2019 to 2023 and was involved in the controversial U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, has been a polarizing figure due to his outspoken criticism of Trump. The incident echoes previous tensions within the military under Trump's leadership, highlighting ongoing political rifts at the top echelons of the U.S. defense establishment.