Banks, Grassley Call on General Milley to Clarify Alleged Intercession In Chain of Command
Washington,
July 14, 2022
WASHINGTON – Today, House Armed Services Committee Member Rep. Jim Banks and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley took to the floors of the House of Representatives and the Senate to call on General Mark Milley to finally and fully answer questions about the reports that he inserted himself into the statutory chain of command—undermining civilian control of the U.S. military. In a speech today, Rep. Banks said, “I’m calling on General Milley to set the record straight. General Milley is accused of secretly seizing the president’s military powers. That is the most serious crime. If he is innocent, he has a duty to say so.” In a separate speech to the Senate, Sen. Grassley said, “On April 11th, with twelve pointed questions, we gave General Milley a second bite of the apple to clear the air. General Milley, honor your word. Answer the questions. Come clean with the American people.” General Milley has yet to respond to Grassley and Banks now months-old questions. Lawmakers have been seeking clarity on this serious potential breach of the American democratic order since the publication of Bob Woodward’s and Robert Costa’s book Peril in 2021. Rep. Banks questioned General Miley about the book’s allegations at a September 2021 House Armed Services Committee hearing. Video of Sen. Grassley’s speech can be found here. Video of Rep. Banks’ speech can be found here, and his prepared remarks are below.
Prepared Floor Remarks by Rep. Jim Banks July 14, 2022 Thank you, Madame Speaker. Our Constitution is clear: the President is the Commander-in-Chief. Sidestepping the President and violating the Chain of Command is a grave crime. According to Bob Woodward’s book Peril, General Mark Milley directed senior military officers NOT to follow the president’s orders, unless General Milley approved them first. When I asked General Milley about Peril at an Armed Services hearing, he claimed he hadn’t READ it. Convenient. So, Senator Chuck Grassley and I sent a letter to General Milley, asking him to verify or refute the books’ claims. He hasn’t responded. I am calling on General Milley to set the record straight. General Milley is accused of secretly SEIZING the president’s military powers. That is the most serious crime. If he is innocent, he has a duty to say so. Thank you and I yield back. ### |