[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2666-S2667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         General Mark A. Milley

  Mr. President, I would like to say a little something about simple 
military relations. This is something I care a lot about as chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Armed Services. In particular, I want to speak 
about General Milley.
  General Milley is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this 
job, General Milley is the President's top military adviser. Don't 
forget he doesn't have any command authority over the military forces. 
This is important. This is not what you hear people talking about when 
they misrepresent the situation. This is very important. He is there as 
the adviser to the President of the United States, and he doesn't have 
any command authority. There has been a lot of criticism about his 
wearing his battle dress uniform--his BDU, as they call it--on Monday 
when the President spoke. Here is another area in which I want to set 
the record straight.
  General Milley was getting ready to visit with troops around DC--I 
know that. I was talking to him that day--who were also in their BDUs. 
That was the dress uniform for their function at that time. Then he was 
called to the White House. We all know why he was called to the White 
House. He is the adviser to the President. I think everyone can agree 
that we want that voice at the table in situations like this to provide 
the best military advice, as is his statutory authority and 
responsibility.
  On Monday, after General Milley walked outside with the President, he 
assessed the situation and immediately removed himself. Now, this isn't 
just me talking. I know that he did because I was with him shortly 
before that and also after that. So that was a fact. He also told me 
that he intended to honor his oath and uphold the delicate balance 
between civilians and the military. I fully believe him. He has always 
done that in the past and always will do that.
  The accusations against General Milley are especially troubling to me 
because I know, from working with him, of his commitment to our Nation, 
to the Constitution, and to the American people--of keeping them safe 
and giving his best military advice. It is striking below the belt to 
make these accusations and to try to scare the American people. It is 
my duty as chairman of the Committee on Armed Services to have strong 
oversight over this issue. We have oversight over it. If what they are 
saying is true, we still have the oversight.
  I assure you, right now, we are watching what our military is doing 
and what it has always done, which is its duty within the law and 
constitutional limits, and that is exactly what General Milley has done 
and is doing right now. We are seeing a lot of finger-pointing and 
blame going around. We owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to believe 
the very best in each other, not assume the worse. We need to recognize 
everyone's inherent value and dignity and treat each other with respect 
and dignity as Christ calls us to do. Only then can we listen with both 
of our ears and with our hearts. That is what I am asking the American 
people to do.
  Many of those in the protests are in a group that has been referred 
to as antifa. Certainly, George Floyd's death was a tragedy and went 
beyond unthinkable dimensions, but did any of them know who he was? I 
suggest, no, they really didn't. So I would only say this: I think, in 
answer to the accusations that were made, that I would quote only one 
or two sentences out of a speech that our President made 2 days ago in 
the Rose Garden. This is very self-explanatory and does explain the 
situation in response to the accusations that have been made falsely 
about him.

       We cannot allow the righteous cries and peaceful protesters 
     to be drowned out by an angry mob. The biggest victims of the 
     rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities. 
     And as their President, I will fight to keep them safe. I 
     will fight to protect you. I am your President of law and 
     order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.

  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sasse). The Senator from Tennessee
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I first thank my friend, Senator 
Leahy, for allowing me to speak, for we are all dealing with the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  I ask unanimous consent that Senator Leahy be recognized as soon as I 
finish my brief remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I want to say just a couple of things 
to Tennesseans and to Americans.
  All are expressing their rage and grief over the murder of George 
Floyd

[[Page S2667]]

in Minnesota. I will tell you that this event of May 25 cannot be 
written off as a simple use of force or as being unfortunate or 
regrettable. We all know that, on that day, George Floyd was killed by 
a police officer while other officers looked on and heard his begging 
for life and his cries for help. The officers responsible should be 
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
  I offer my prayers and condolences to the Floyd family, just as so 
many other Members of this Chamber have done, and I support the 
President's call for the Justice Department to investigate this death.