Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley conduct a news conference at the Pentagon, Oct. 28, 2019.
CNN: Esper and Milley appear to adopt different strategies to deal with Trump as election approaches
Washington (CNN)The Pentagon's two most senior figures were so angry about President Donald Trump's unprecedented attack on senior military leadership earlier this month that they got on the phone with the White House chief of staff to express their dismay, according to several defense officials.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley spoke to Mark Meadows after Trump accused Pentagon leadership of waging wars to boost the profits of weapons manufacturers.
"I'm not saying the military's in love with me -- the soldiers are, the top people in the Pentagon probably aren't because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy," Trump told reporters at a White House news conference on Labor Day.
The officials said Milley, who served for years in combat zones around the globe, was particularly distressed. Another defense official summed up reaction at the Pentagon, stating "the President went too far."
Meadows attempted to walk back what Trump said on Fox News the next day, claiming the comments were "more directed about the military industrial complex."
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WNU Editor: You serve at the pleasure at the President. In his first term President Obama dismissed 200 senior officers. I would not be surprised if President Trump may do the same thing in his second term if he is re-elected.
