Milley told Esper he was 'this close' to resigning after Trump Oval Office meeting about George Floyd protests
CNN
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told former Defense Secretary Mark Esper he was "this close" to resigning on the spot after a contentious Oval Office meeting with then-President Donald Trump in the summer of 2020.
The exchange, detailed in Espers' new book "A Sacred Oath," occurred after protests over the police killing of George Floyd broke out in front of the White House in Lafayette Park. It marks one of several stunning discussions recounted in the book, which is set to publish Tuesday and portrays a chaotic White House focused almost entirely on Trump's reelection bid.
Trump, angry with the situation at the time, called Milley asking for "ten thousand troops" to be deployed to the streets of Washignton, Esper wrote. After receiving this phone call, Milley informed Esper of the conversation. Milley's face, Esper said, was "ashen," as he relayed the conversation with Trump.
Hours after President Joe Biden touted its success during his commencement speech at West Point last Saturday, White House staffers learned that the temporary pier the military had just constructed into Gaza was falling apart. Four Army vessels had been beached, two in Gaza and two along the coast of Israel.