Mark Milley

Mark Alexander Milley (born 20 June 1958) is a retired United States Army general who served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2023. He had previously served as the 39th chief of staff of the Army from August 14, 2015, to August 9, 2019 and held multiple command and staff positions in eight divisions and special forces.

A Reserve Officers' Training Corps graduate from Princeton University, Milley earned his commission as an armor officer in 1980. He later received a master's degree from Columbia University. During his first term, President Donald Trump appointed Milley chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the tenth U.S. Army officer to be chairman. As chairman, Milley was the highest-ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces and the principal military advisor to the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.

Following threats by Trump, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Milley and other officials before he left office on January 20, 2025. Hours after Trump's inauguration for his second term that same day, Milley's official portrait, unveiled at the Pentagon on January 10, was removed. A few days later, his security clearance was suspended and his security detail withdrawn.