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Agence France-Presse

US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he was nominating Army chief of staff General Mark Milley as his next top military adviser – a new slap in the face for Pentagon chief James Mattis.
Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would replace General Joseph Dunford as the military’s next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Dunford is scheduled to retire in October 2019 at the end of his second two-year term.
“I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country!” Trump said on Twitter.
But in choosing the 60-year-old Milley, a graduate of Princeton University known for his combat command experience, Trump went against the wishes of Mattis, who reportedly favoured Air Force General David Goldfein.

That choice would have been in keeping with a tradition of rotating the post among the services.
Dunford is a Marine Corps general. There has not been an Air Force officer in the chairman’s post since 2005.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is made up of the heads of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and National Guard.
Dunford quickly offered his congratulations to Milley.
“He has served with General Milley in peacetime and in combat and has the highest regard for his leadership,” said Dunford’s spokesman, Colonel Patrick Ryder.
Milley must be confirmed by the US Senate. He would take the position for a four-year term, after a new law was passed last year doubling the term length to better ensure continuity.

I am pleased to announce my nomination of four-star General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the United States Army – as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing General Joe Dunford, who will be retiring....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018

Trump said the transition date was “to be determined,” in a sign that Dunford might go sooner rather than later, but Ryder noted: “All indications are that General Dunford will serve his full term.”
Trump announced his picks for a new attorney general and a new UN ambassador on Friday and initially suggested he might make the military announcement at Saturday’s annual Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia.

....I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country! Date of transition to be determined.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018

The game features cadets from the Naval Academy against their counterparts from the US Military Academy and is often attended by the president.
But he opted to announce the news on Twitter before heading to the game.
After meeting with both Milley and Goldfein, it seems that Trump preferred the army general, who was more outgoing than the cerebral Air Force chief, and laced his discussions with humour and historical references.
The Pentagon’s reaction to the announcement was somewhat frosty.
“We are aware of the president’s nomination and share his confidence for General Mark Milley,” Pentagon spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Andrews, said in a brief statement.
“The Department of Defence remains fully focused on defending our nation.”

Mattis was once a favourite of Trump, but the two men have had increasing difficulties in recent months.
They have not seen eye to eye over the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from over Mattis’ objections; over the creation of a Space Force, which Mattis did not want; and over the crisis at the US-Mexico border, and the deployment of troops there.
Mattis and Dunford are expected to attend the Army-Navy game on Saturday along with Trump.


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US Politics

Trump chooses new Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, against Mattis wishes

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, talks to General Mark Milley, chief of staff with the US Army, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Bloomberg photo by Joshua Roberts

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 7, 2016, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges (L) and General Mark Milley oversee the Anaconda exercises near Torun, Poland. - US President Donald Trump on December 8, 2018, announced he was nominating Milley as the military's next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would replace General Joseph Dunford, who is scheduled to retire in October 2019 at the end of his second two-year term. (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 7, 2016, US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley testifies during a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. - US President Donald Trump on December 8, 2018, announced he was nominating Milley as the military's next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would replace General Joseph Dunford, who is scheduled to retire in October 2019 at the end of his second two-year term. (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Donald Trump’s troops at US-Mexico border wonder what the mission is

US marines put barbed wire atop fencing along the United States-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California, on November 9, 2018. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / AFP)

Migrants traveling with a caravan hoping to reach the U.S. border, wait in line to board buses in La Concha, Mexico, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. Buses and trucks are carrying some migrants into the state of Sinaloa along the Gulf of California and further northward into the border state of Sonora. The bulk of the main caravan appeared to be about 1,100 miles from the border, but was moving hundreds of miles per day. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

TOPSHOT - Migrants from poor Central American countries -mostly Hondurans- moving towards the United States in hopes of a better life, walk along the road between Zapopan and Tequila in the Mexican state of Jalisco, on their trek north, on November 13, 2018. - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday he will visit the US-Mexico border, where thousands of active-duty soldiers have been deployed to help border police prepare for the arrival of a "caravan" of migrants. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)

epa07165037 A handout photo made available by the US Marines Corps on 14 November 2018 shows US Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 7, strengthen the California-Mexico border near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California, USA, 12 November 2018. US Northern Command is providing military support to the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection to secure the Southern border of the United States. EPA-EFE/US MARINE CORPS/STAFF SGT. RUBIN J. TAN HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

James Mattis, U.S. Secretary of Defense, speaks with troops from the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 62nd Medical Brigade at Base Camp Donna in Donna, Texas, U.S., November 14, 2018. Master Sgt. Jacob Caldwel/U.S. Army/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

DONNA, TX - NOVEMBER 07: U.S. Army vehicles sit at a military camp under construction at the U.S.-Mexico border on November 7, 2018 in Donna, Texas. The forward operating base is located near the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge and port of entry between the United States and Mexico. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered troops to the border weeks in advance of the possible arrival of a migrant caravan, which the president has called an "invasion." John Moore/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

A US Marine sets up a barricade with concertina wire, at the border between Mexico and the US, in preparation for the arrival of migrants, in Tijuana, Mexico. Photo: Reuters

Trump picks former US Attorney General William Barr to return to head Justice Department

President Donald Trump announces he is nominating William Barr as Attorney General on Friday in Washington. Photo: AP

FILE - In this Nov. 26, 1991, file photo, President George H.W Bush, right, and William Barr wave after Barr was sworn in as the new Attorney General of the United States at a Justice Department ceremony in Washington. President Donald Trump said Friday he will nominate William Barr, former President George H.W. Bush's attorney general, to serve in the same role. (AP Photo/Scott Applewhite, File)

This undated photo provided by Time Warner shows William Barr. President Donald Trump says he will nominate William Barr, former President George H.W. Bush’s attorney general, to serve in the same role. Trump made the announcement while departing the White House for a trip to Missouri Friday. (Time Warner via AP)

News

World

United States & Canada

Donald Trump nominates General Mark Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as top military adviser


Donald Trump nominates General Mark Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as top military adviser.


Donald Trump

United States

Trump chooses new Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, against Mattis wishes

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Donald Trump nominates General Mark Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as top military adviser

Donald Trump nominates General Mark Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as top military adviser