US official confirms official portrait of Retired General Mark Milley is missing

Retired Gen. Mark Milley’s official portrait as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was taken down Monday afternoon from the Pentagon hallway where all the paintings of previous chairmen are displayed.

Two U.S. officials confirmed the removal of Milley’s portrait, with one noting that its current whereabouts are unknown. This portrait was unveiled on Friday, Jan. 10, during a ceremony in the hallway attended by Milley and then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Reporters at the Pentagon first noticed the empty space where the portrait once hung just hours before the news broke.

The reasons for the removal remain unclear, but Milley’s relationship with former President Donald Trump has been notably contentious. Trump publicly criticized Milley on multiple occasions, including a suggestion on Truth Social in 2023 that Milley’s actions could be considered treasonous.

Milley’s tenure included secret backchannel communications with Chinese officials, his support for an inclusive policy on transgender troops, and his role in the Afghanistan withdrawal—all of which Trump heavily criticized.

In a 2023 interview with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, Milley expressed deep regrets about the Afghanistan withdrawal. “Of course, I mean, we lost, obviously, the 13 at Abbey Gate on top of the 2,400 that were killed from 9/11 on in Afghanistan,” Milley said, referencing the Kabul airport attack in which 13 U.S. service members and numerous Afghans were killed.

In an attempt to protect individuals from criminal prosecution under the second Trump Administration, President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons Monday morning, including one for Milley.

The pardons, issued as Biden’s term neared its end, were framed as a preemptive measure to protect individuals from potential legal actions related to their roles during his administration. Among those pardoned were Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, and law enforcement officers who testified before the committee.

“My family and I are deeply grateful for the President’s action today,” Milley said in a statement. “After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety.”

During Biden’s presidency, conservative lawmakers frequently accused Milley of eroding military culture and readiness. Trump, in particular, referred to Milley as a “woke train wreck” in September 2023 and called for his prosecution for treason, citing decisions made during Milley’s tenure.

The disappearance of Milley’s portrait and the surrounding political tensions highlight the enduring controversies of his tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

© 2025 The Salty Soldier All rights reserved.

The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of TheSaltySoldier.com.

Back To Top
Get notified when new stories are published OK No thanks