Top US Military Officer Steps Down With "Dictator" Swipe At Donald Trump

General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stepped down from his position on Friday with a parting swipe at former President Donald Trump. In a speech at his retirement ceremony, Milley said that US troops do not swear an oath to a "king, or queen, or a tyrant or a dictator." "And we don't take an oath to a wannabe dictator," Milley said, without naming Trump. Milley's comments are a rare public rebuke of a former president by a top military officer. Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023. He was appointed by Trump, but he clashed with the former president on a number of issues, including Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Milley took steps to prevent Trump from using the military to overturn the election. He also ordered the National Guard to be prepared to deploy to Washington, DC, to protect the Capitol. Milley's comments on Friday are a reminder of the importance of the military's role in upholding the Constitution. The military is sworn to defend the Constitution, not any particular individual or political party. Milley's comments are also a warning to Trump and other politicians who may try to use the military to further their own political goals. The military is not a tool for politicians to use to achieve their own ambitions. Milley's retirement is a loss for the US military. He was a respected leader who served his country with distinction. However, his parting swipe at Trump is a reminder of the importance of the military's role in defending the Constitution.