The latest book by journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, “Peril,” revealed the behind-the-scenes actions taken by some officials out of concern that twice-impeached former President Donald Trump would take a dangerous step in order to stay in power. As Republicans call for Gen. Mark Milley to resign following the alleged call to his Chinese counterpart, Woodward refutes the claim made by the GOP that the top general committed treason.
Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Woodward and Costa said that Milley spoke with his counterpart in China, Li Zuocheng, in the final weeks of the Trump presidency to ease the increasing tensions between the US and China. Woodward and Costa said that the GOP Senators were “wrong” to call for Gen. Milley to resign, claiming that no administration officials were unaware.
Woodward cited the tensions surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea as the US is looking to deter increasing aggression from China over both issues. Woodward reiterated that the alleged call was out of concern for national security, noting that a situation like Pearl Harbor might occur had the call not take place. The journalist also made clear that Milley informed then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the call.
Regarding the calls by Republicans for Milley to resign and accusing the top general of committing treason, Costa said that the entire context must be considered and not just parts of the book.
“No, the book is an entire story of a dangerous transition. In particular, page 129 of the book details the whole conversation on Oct. 30. That whole conversation shows, based on our reporting, chairman Milley telling Gen. Li that you need to calm down. It’s not some kind of tip-off about an attack. He’s saying in historic context, you’ll always see some escalation. There will be communication, as Bob Woodward just said. There has been a five-year relationship between Milley and Li, there is a level of trust there. He wanted to reemphasize that, to bring back the tensions, to avoid being on the brink of war,” explained Costa.
Milley this week testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal. GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz then accused Milley of doing more interviews than planning for a possible takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. Gaetz referenced Woodward and Costa’s book in his accusation towards Milley.
When Milley said it was “not even close,” Gaetz doubled down on his accusation, saying that Milley undermined the chain of command, which the top general denied.