Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revoked the security clearance and protective detail of General Mark Milley, the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This action comes with an order for the Pentagon’s inspector general to review Milley’s past actions, which could result in a demotion. The Secretary's decision was communicated to Milley, suspending his security clearance and withdrawing authorization for his security detail. This move targets a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump, under whom Milley served during Trump's first term.
The inspector general’s review will specifically investigate "the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen. Milley’s conduct." The objective of this inquiry is to determine if sufficient grounds exist for the Secretary to "reopen his military grade review determination." This suggests that the Pentagon is considering whether Milley's retirement rank and associated benefits are appropriate given the allegations being investigated.
Simultaneously, the Pentagon is probing a lapse in security credentials for approximately 250 Boeing Co. employees working on current and future Air Force One planes. While these workers retained top-secret clearances, they lacked the additional "Yankee White" clearance required for presidential aircraft. This issue, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, indicates a broader concern within the Defense Department regarding security protocols, especially for highly classified assets.
Relatedly, President Donald Trump has also revoked security clearances for other former high-ranking officials, including Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and Lisa Monaco. These actions underscore a pattern of the administration removing security access from individuals perceived as critics or those involved in investigations that Trump opposes. The White House also conducted an intense leak probe led by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel, with officials asked to turn over their phones, in response to leaks about security deficiencies concerning a Qatari-gifted aircraft intended for Air Force One use.
