>> i applaud general mark milley. in fact, i've known him for years. that's the mark milley i know. he has admitted a mistake, taken ownership of it, responsibility, and he's moving forward. in fact, it's refreshing. >> interesting. general, another issue that we might hear president trump discuss today, we're in the sure, is the debate over removing the names of confederate generals from military bases named after them. you said you've known for decades it's an insult for african-american soldiers for bases to carry these names -- let's face it. these were traitors. what is your response when you hear president trump's response that under no circumstances will he consider renaming them, even though the pentagon wants to restart a bipartisan conversation about it? >> i was disappointed when i saw the president's tweet. i don't know if he's not getting good advice from his advisers or he's just not listening. the bottom line is those bases, they need to be renamed. i applaud the marine corps for moving forward with removing all confederate paraphernalia from marine corps and navy bas

carol, pretty significant development there with general mark milley breaking ranks with the president about that photo-op that triggered quite a bit of debate and called, drew some sharp criticism from former military generals as well. >> reporter: it is remarkable, eamon. general milley had been uncomfortable with the fact he was involved in that photo-op at the church and that walk across lafayette square and that he said that he was caught by surprise that was what was going to unfold. he apologizes and gave the perception of the military having a role in domestic politics. clearly uncomfortable now and saying that publicly. this comes at a time when the president is already having tensions within, had w his military advisers over renaming these bases. there was some desire to look at that among military officials and the president coming in and saying absolutely not. that's a non-starter. he's not going to do that. the chairman much the joint chiefs of staff essentially breaking with him and calling what he did a political stunt. >> carol, i was going to say quickly, this came sho

environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. >> reporter: general mark milleyefense secretary mark esper had not even planned to be wshe f.'waon ffflle om t wte hse alsoodds oveether nt a mr. trume ename ten bases named after confederate figures. se president rejected the idea after esper and the secretary of army said they were open to it. still, the senate armed services so.ittee approved a measure to do so. south dakota republican mike rounds: >> this is the right time for it, and i think it sends the right message. >> reporter: president trump is still calling for an aggressive response to demonstrators, this time in seattle, after ridiculing washington state's governor for being "taunted and played" by protesters. >> got to have some strength. you have to have strength. you have to do what you have to do. >> reporter: mr. trump made the remarks in dallas at a meeting about race relations and law enforcement. notably, the city's police chief, sheriff, and district attorney, all of whom are african american, were not invited. president trump said he will sig

setback at another sign of tension between the white house and the pentagon the nation's top general mark milley has apologized for participating in donald trump's photo op at a church in washington d.c. last week according. a quote mistake the events took place moments off the troops and he said he had a pot full of the president and he's entourage by violent. peaceful protesters. now on his defiance he months joins us now from the white house in washington hi stefan so how has the general mark milley many's response been received. all depends on who you ask i think that the form of brass all the old generals and former defense secretaries served under trump or in his administration who came out before him criticizing the president heavily they would be probably very happy now to hear that the. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is apologizing for making an appearance right at this church here on monday last week with the president apologizing for actually showing up in this picture in this photo op which was from the beginning ill received from the public even from across the political spec

but i want to first talk about mark milley here, the chairman of the joint chiefs. more and more are coming forward to rebuke the president's response to the protests. the latest i explained coming from the chairman of the joint chiefs, general mark milley, specifically with that photo op saying he regrets being involved in the photo op. how do you think the president is reacting to this apology from mi mill milley? >> well, this is what i can tell you. last week when defense secretary mark esper came out publicly, he did a press conference where he appeared to be trying to distance himself from the president and that controversial church visit and going out of his way to say he didn't think that u.s. troops should be used in u.s. cities at this point appearing to, you know, contradict the president or give the impression that the defense secretary would stand up against the president if the president tried to send in u.s. troops, the president got furious over that press conference that the defense secretary did last week. nbc news was told he threatened to fire es

donald trump and against, in a way, the military leadership of the united states, that is general mark a milley the president and for participating in the present‘s political use of the military so general mark a milley today coming out and saying he was sorry, that he did not have situational awareness, it is welcome but in awareness, it is welcome but in a way it is a little bit too late and also the secretary and the general have sort of demonstrated they do not have what it takes to stand up to donald trump and, i am afraid as we move forward, we will see the both of them are gone or we will see a very weak military leadership at a time when we probably need to have a much stronger one. that is really interesting because on the surface it looks the opposite and it looks like military figures coming up against the president but your argument is that it president but your argument is thatitis president but your argument is that it is not what it seems? we again have a lot of military leaders, retired military leaders, retired military leaders saying the proper things. the us military to stay

president could walk out with an entourage that included america's top military official general mark milleye on the right in uniform, to go and pose briefly outside a church, to show he was in control — something general milley now says he regrets. i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involvement in domestic politics. as a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that i've learned from. and the president is setting himself on another collision course with military leaders. he says it's out of the question the us renames bases that currently commemorate confederate generals, but there are growing calls from present and former military leadership to do just that. and it's time that we name us army bases after a us army leaders or soldiers who didn't take up arms against the united states to support slavery. this is the right time and this is the right moment to get this done. across the country, activists are taking matters into their own hands, bringing down statues that glorify white supremacy and of vi

joint chiefs of staff chairman general mark milley spoke out yesterday on his walk with the president across lafayette square just days after defense secretary mark esper publicly split with the white house in opposing the use of active-duty troops to quell violent protests. i talked with the president about those remarks, as well as joe biden's recent suggestion that the military may need to get involved on inauguration day. watch. >> general milley con joint chiefs of staff, i don't know how much you knew that he was going to say today before he spoke. but he said he regrets having been there. he apologized about having been there on lafayette square with you for the picture. the infamous picture, as he walked to the church. >> president trump: i think it was a bit of a picture. i'll tell you, i think christians think it was a beautiful picture. >> harris: but why do you thinthink you hearing from general milley, from secretary of defense esper? and not why you think you are, but do you think it is significant? >> president trump: no, i don't think so. that's the way they feel, i th

happened last week when demonstrators were cleared to make way for a presidential photo op general mark milley part me general mark wiley who is one of the most decorated officers in america says it was a mistake adding i should not have been there corresponding ferran from zack will be along in just a little bit with more on this developing story well by the way while on the subject of apologies the new york times is acknowledging today that the people of bolivia had their election stolen from them the times now writes that so-called election fraud in bolivia that was used as an excuse to remove a democratically elected president was a law. think about what i just said evo morales was elected fairly and democratically within less than 48 hours after he was elected the european union the organization of american states and the united states state department declared his election fraudulent which fomented a coup causing the elected elected president to have to leave the country only to be replaced by a new president more to the liking of washington and european leaders and the oas. shouldn't su

words, that comes from the heart of general mark milley.'m confident he believes that with all of his heart and soul, and he takes very seriously the oath of office that he and every other person in uniform takes. so i think he was reminding the force to be true to that oath. that's the tie that binds us in tough times. broadly across the force, i think there is concern, you know, that the armed forces, again, are not trained, manned, equipped, prepared for employment in domestic purposes. the national guard is. the men and women of the national guard of the 50 states and the district and the territories operating under legitimacy vilian control of the governors, they are the right backstop, when law enforcement no longer has the capacity -- >> reporter: general, i'm sorry -- i'm sorry -- i'm sorry to interrupt, but i've only got 30 seconds. i want to ask about that point, the national guard in the states are being led by the governors. we just heard the mayor of washington, d.c. criticize the fact that the guard in d.c. have gone from 1,20

for a photo opportunity outside the church after the area was cleared of anti-racism protesters mark milley says he regrets creating the perception of military involvement in domestic politics. to get more now on our top story the corona virus outbreak in the african continent south africa is one of the worst hit countries let's speak to tom ellman he's the director of the south african medical unit at doctors without borders he joins us now via skype from a cape town thank you so much for joining us here on al-jazeera so not only is south africa one of the worst hit. countries but actually the western cape is one of the worst hit provinces within south africa itself so tell us a little bit about the situation at that you're seeing and presumably that's the terrier rating and how. yeah certainly the western cape is leading the rise of corona virus cases in south africa are over 2 thirds of cases reported in the country are from the western cape and it is a 6 pack to hitting the most vulnerable most densely crowded townships like the chair where where doctors without borders is working are s

church after the area was cleared of anti-racism protesters chairman of the joint chiefs of staff mark milley says he regrets accompanying trump because it created the perception of military involvement in domestic politics really was with trump as he walked through lafayette square after police used pepper spray and stun grenades to disperse protesters the president then posed with a bible outside the church as many of you saw the result of the photograph of mia lafayette square last week that sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society i should not have been there my presence in that moment in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics as a commissioned uniformed officer it was a mistake but i have learned from and i sincerely hope we all can learn from it meanwhile trump has called for stronger police forces in the u.s. despite weeks of protests across the country following the killing of george floyd . we're going to stronger police forces because that's what you need in minneapolis they went through 3 nights of hell.

you all can learn from it. >> milley was so upset he considered resigning over the issue, three defense officials tell nbc news meanwhile last week defense secretary marksper tried to distan distance himself defense secretary james mattis said he was appalled president trump not answering questions about the matter today. >> your reaction to milley >> reporter: it comes as the president is digging in refusing to rename military bases named after confederate generals, tweeting today, those that deny their history are doomed to repeat it. but on capitol hill, growing support for renaming the bases the republican-led senate armed service committee has approved a measure that would allow it and house speaker nancy pelosi saying it is time fo the controversial names to go. >> the american people know these names have to go. these names are white supremists that said terrible things about our country. this is like 100 years after world war ii and then you have the president make a case as to why a base should be named for them he seems to be the only person left who doesn't get it. >> reporter: adding to the discord, the president announced his first campaig

dan springer in seattle. >> ed: a fox news alert, the highest ranking member of the military mark milleying out after that photo op in lafayette square. protesters had been moved by federal law enforcement before the president walked over to the square with general milley and others. he's now apologizing for the messages that were sent during a virtual graduation ceremony where he spoke earlier today. >> i should not have been here. that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. as a commissioned uniformed officer it was a mistake. >> john, good morning to you. the president was not aware of what his chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and, before those remarks were delivered, there was some thinking though that because millie is a commissioned military officer his comments may play differently than if they came from someone like secretary mark esper. but there's no question, general milley is the president's guide. that was at the army-navy football game some ten months before general milley actually took over the position. so it's likely that thi

milley was so upset, he considered resigning over the issue. three defense officials tell nbc news meanwhile, last week, defense secretary mark esper tried to distance himself and former defense secretary james mattis said he was appalled president trump, not answering questions about the matter >> your reaction to milley >> it comes as the president is digging in on his refusal to rename military bases, named after confederate generals tweeting, those that deny their history are doomed to repeat it. but, on capitol hill, growing support for renaming the bases the republican-led senate arm service committee has approved a measure that would allow it. and house speaker nancy pelosi, saying it's time for the controversial names to go. >> the american people know these names have to go these names are white supremacists that said terrible things about our country this is like 100 years after world war ii and then you have the president make a case as to why a base should be named for them he seems to be the only person left who doesn't get it. >> adding to the discord, the president announced his first campaign event since the pandemic will be in tulsa

general mark milley was seen walking with the president.ere's what of what he said in an address to the national defense university. >> i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. >> that comes amid a new dispute between the white house and lawmakers of the removal of this country's historically racism symbols. they voted to approve an amendment that would require the pentagon to rename military bases and assets named for confederate generals. a republican-controlled senate, by the way. hours later, president trump rejected the idea tweeting in part, my administration will not consider the renaming of these magnificent and fabled military installations. joining us from capitol hill is nbc's kasie hunt. for what it's worth, it was one of those -- there were dual announcements in the last 48 hours regarding confederate symbols. one from nascar and one from the u.s. army. and i was curious which one the president would focus on. i had a fee

mark milley, the chairman of thejoint chiefs of staff,

president could walk out with an entourage that included america's top military official, general mark milleyen here on the right in uniform, to go and pose briefly outside a church, to show he was in control, something general milley now says he regrets. i should not have been there. my presence in that moment, and in that environment, created a perception of the military involvement in domestic politics. as a commissioned, uniformed officer, it was a mistake that i learned from. and the president is setting himself on another collision course with military leaders. he says it is out of the question the us rename bases that currently commemorate confederate generals, but there are growing calls from present and former military leadership to do just that. and it's time we name us army bases after a us army leaders or soldiers who did not take up arms against the united states to support slavery. this is the right time and this is the right moment to get this done. across the country, activists are taking matters into their own hands, bringing down statues that glorify white supremacy and of v

. >>> cnn learning defense secretary mark esper and joint chief of staff mark milley are refusing tofy before congress about the military's role responding to protests. why? fruit bites multivitamins are made with farm grown apples as the first ingredient. and key nutrients you want. so you can have a daily multivitamin free of stuff you don't want. one a day natural fruit bites. a new way to multivitamin. yoo-hoo, progressive shoppers. we laughed with you. sprinkles are for winners. we surprised you. on occasion, we've probably even annoyed you. we've done this all with one thing in mind. to help protect the things you love. and if we can't offer you the best price we'll help you find a better one. it's not always the lowest! even if it's not with us. that's how we've done it for the past 80 years. not just today, or this month, but always. the covid-19 pandemic is creating food insecurity on a scale not seen in decades. an estimated 54 million americans will struggle with hunger. ♪ with 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs, feeding america is the largest hunger-relief organizati

the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, mark milley, is now so ashamed of his participation in that photo op that today he apologized, which we will discuss later in this hour. people at all other levels of government are taking action. the governor of minnesota, the state where george floyd was murdered, has introduced a new package of police reforms that the governor says have been needed for a long time. the reforms would make it automatic that the attorney general of minnesota would investigate all police officer-involved deaths in the state. it tightens the rule on the use of deadly force. it creates new alternatives to policing that would divert some police calls to social workers for issues better handled by them. it strengthens police over sight and prohibits the use of choke holds in the state of minnesota. san francisco mayor introduced a new plan for police reform. the san francisco chronicle reports it would remove sworn officers from such calls for noncriminal activities replacing them with trained and nonarmed professionals who she said would be better equipped to hand

army general mark milley accompanied walk through lafayette square peaceful and he racism protests were forcibly removed from the area when he says his presence created the perception of military involvement in domestic politics well our white house correspondent joins me now from washington d.c. it's a stark admission kimberly by general milley about trump's photo opportunity do you think he's going to get some blowback from it. well it's possible that he's angered the commander in chief who of course oversees the armed forces but you have to remember that he's not the 1st one to do it we've also seen a very stark admission by the defense secretary mark asked for a saying that the president's push to use the insurrection act in other words to deploy the military to quell and rast something that he said repeatedly he's willing to do is not something that the defense secretary supports so this is sort of the latest in a string of admissions by members of the military essentially breaking rank with the commander in chief a why the chair of the joint chiefs of staff feels that this was not

. >>> general mark milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, going on the record, saying he should not have been with president trump after those peaceful protesters were forcibly removed from in front of the white house for that photo op at st. john's church. what general milley is now saying. >>> the alarming prediction tonight on coronavirus here in the u.s. the toll could be as many as 200,000 american lives lost by september. more than 20 states tonight with spikes. houston moments ago warning, if this gets any worse, we will have to go to level one, which would mean a stay at home recommendation only leaving for food or medicine. tonight, arizona, icus there filling up. and tonight, the staggering toll on the u.s. economy and american families. the dow plunging. and what the federal reserve chairman said about jobs that might never come back. >>> the disturbing police confrontation under investigation tonight. the body camera images showing two white officers stopping two black teenagers accused of jaywalking. and what happens next. >>> news coming in now from seattle.

america's top military officer general mark milley now says he was wrong tojoin general mark milley nowrong to join president trump in that controversial walk to a damaged church last week. dressed in military fatigues, general milley said it sent the wrong message and that the military should not involve itself in domestic politics. across this country, protest against racism and police brutality continue with the top —— toppling of statues erected in honour of confederate generals. resident trump seems determined to stick up trump seems determined to stick upfor trump seems determined to stick up for the police and stay true to his self defined role as the president of law and order —— president trump. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. as you heard their general mark milley has said he made a mistake by accompanying president trump staged event outside of a church near the house during those protest. —— during those protests. let's get more on this from professor rachel vanlandingham. she is a formerjudge advocate in the us air force and is now an associate professor at the southwe

apologized for accompanying president trump to a washington church where he posed with a bible general mark milley said his presence created the perception that the military was involved in domestic politics and called it a mistake. has meanwhile authorized sanctions against international criminal court staff investigating possible u.s. war crimes in afghanistan in retaliation for the probe of the administration will block assets of court employees and put visa restrictions on them and their families an anti corruption investigation into the i.c.c. is. is also in the works the secretary of state michael peo has lashed out at what he called court a spouse behind bars for defending freedom a son or daughter robbed of their mom or dad all on the initiative of some prosecutor in the netherlands. making sure this doesn't happen is the essence of american for foreign policy. to syria where president bush has fired his prime minister sacking comes amid a deepening currency crisis in the country that has seen demonstrations against the syrian government protesters are calling for us to go blaming him for

the trump photo opportunity and washington church now says he should not have been that general mark a milley says. it's made it look like the military was taking sides in national politics he also said he's outraged by the senseless and brutal killing. george floydd. president donald trump has ordered sanctions against any official at the international criminal court. to investigate us troops this from sept the pressure to stop the case. into alleged warar crimes by. us troops in afghanistan. france's finance minister is that encouraging businesses and workers to speed up that return to normal levels of activity in the man's's already announced tuesday packagages w worth twenty three billion euros for the aviation and the auto industry's how business at and it's a great movie will be with us- but that's and more on how the french economy is expected to contract by 11% in twenty twenty so you know okay. thank you for being with. us army general qamar mark milley said the nation's top military officer- brother he is the nation's top of the draft he says he was wrong to accompany president dona

spray and flash bangs to clear the area of protesters the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff mark milley says he regrets creating the perception of military involvement in domestic politics. multiple mass graves have been discovered in the libyan city of tohu now and other areas recently retaken from forces loyal to the warlord holly for half that libya's government of national accord says they contained the remains of soldiers who had been taken prisoner that who know was have tours last stronghold in the west of the country and was recaptured by the g.n.a.t. last week those are the headlines the war in june is next looking at the 967 arab israeli war that lasted 6 days of music half a mile. 15th of may 1967. a parade of military might to celebrate 19 years since the founding of the state of israel. that this public display of power took place under a dog shadow. the previous day egyptian president. had ordered his forces to take up positions along the borders with israel. look at last came in no. war and that. the life. so i get done i can still levy. 3 weeks later on the 5th of june 1

suffered a setback after another sign of tension between the white house and the pentagon top general mark milley publicly apologize for taking part in trump's photo op last week in washington at a church that had been set on fire during protests calling his participation a mistake the visit to place moments after troops and the police had cleared the area by violently ejecting protesters workers have now started removing the fencing put up around the white house after the incident a barrier that turned into an artistic protest space. a symbol of a movement it has become a place to gather to decorate to support the fight for racial equality for the. days protesters left messages and works of art on the barrier a fence separating the people from the president's. vision here. that they say there were going to be a border with a record that. the police are right. with this everything there is a 3rd of it good to look at this is really a beautiful thing born from ugly scenes on june 1st president trump ordered lafayette square to be cleared. police national guard and military moved in. using batons t

after another sign of tension between the white house and the pentagon the nation's top general mark milley has publicly apologized for participating in donald trump's photo op last week in washington at a church that had been damaged in the protests calling the move a mistake the event took place moments after troops and police have cleared a path for the president and his entourage. by violent ejecting protesters. he wanted in washington simon sent us this is testament on how millis statement has been received walt depends on who you ask i think that the form of brass all the old generals and former defense secretaries served under or in his administration who came before him criticizing the president heavily they would be probably very happy now to hear that the. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is apologizing for making an appearance right at this church here on monday last week with the president apologizing for actually showing up in this picture in this photo op which was phoned the beginning ill received from the public even from across the political spectrum why because this p

george floyd. >> we have to have law and order. >> contrast with joint chiefs of staff general mark milley expressing regret for his part in lafayette square where protests were gassed and pummeled for mr. trump's photo-op at the church. milley dressed in combat fatigues said he crossed the line. >> i should not have been there. in that moment, that environment created a perception of military involved in domestic politics. as a commissioned, uniformed officer it was a mistake that i learned from. i sincerely hope we all can learn from it. >> don't tell the president who was boasting it was a big success tweeting our great national guard troops who took care of the area around the white house could hardly believe how easy it was. a walk in the park one said. protesters, agitators, antifa were handled easily. milley doesn't sound like he's on the same page. >> freedom is guaranteed to us and the constitution allow people to demand change just as the peaceful protesters are doing all across the country. that is why we serve in the military. >> but the president is warning of more harsh tacti

senator lindsey graham backing the apology from general mark milley in substance and spirit. even with growing push back to the president's tactics we're seeing right now, he's not giving up on stoking a culture war. >> i made the statements we have to dominate the street. they said, oh, that's such a terrible thing. guess what, you know who dominated the streets? people you don't want to dominate the streets and look at the damage they did. so i'll stick with that and i think most of the people in this room, maybe every person in this room will stick with that. we're doing it with compassion. if you think about it, we're dominating the street with compassion. >> corporate america making changes. even nascar moved to ban the confederate flag. the president so thirteenth thirsty for his approval can't even count on fox tv. this week he relied on a fringe right winged group about an elderly protester in buffalo shoved by police. he is working on physical therapy for a brain injury he received from the shove. he's hoping his past will carry him to victory in november. >> some ar

the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general mark milley, now says it was a mistake. >> i should not have been there. my presence, in that moment, and in that environment, created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. as a commissioned, uniformed officer, it was a mistake, that i have learned from. and i, sincerely, hope we can all learn from it. >> joining me now to discuss is retired general wesley clarke. he is a former nato-supreme ally commander. general, that's big. good evening, by the way. >> you -- made it. he made a mistake. he owned up to it. he made it in front of a bunch of officers. it was the right thing to do. >> so why do you think -- you think he apologized because it was the right thing to do? or was there any kind of pressure on him to -- you know, that he would do this? and why do you think he did it, in the first place? and was there pressure to apologize, do you think? >> well, i haven't talked to him. and -- but i have, you know, followed this extremely closely. i've seen people in these positions before. my guess is he was a little u

joint chiefs of staff chairman general mark milley issued an apology on thursday in a video commencementpeech to the national defense university. >> i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. the commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that i learned from. >> the demonstrators were rallying near the white house on june 1st following the killing of george floyd, an african-american man in police custody. but law enforcement officers removed the protesters to make way for trump to move to the church where he posed with a bible for photographers. general milley joined trump on the walk. critics say the authorities violated the protesters' constitutionally guauaranteed rights. milley's remarks may further us from trait trump as he tries to deal with protests. another senior official who joined trump at the church, defense secretary mark esper did not support the president's suggestion that federal troops be deployed to quell the protests. >>>>> the operatotor of the vid calling

but one person who won't be there today is general mark milley chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. he's someone who caught attention this week because he apologized on thursday for his appearance on the streets in military fatigue saying that lent the perception that the military was involved in domestic politics and unclear whether the president will respond publicly to millie's apology. millie will have a taped address for the graduates today. >> thank you. >>> and today's speech to the next generation military leaders comes obviously at a critical point in the president's relationship with the armed force. he's facing criticism by former military leader for the response to the protest as you just heard sara mention there. current top military brass now addressing racism and ongoing cultural shift in their own way. lieutenant general mark hurley with us. he served nearly 40 years in the military. a former commanding general for the army. always so good to have you with you. so glad to see you. president trump at west point today, there are 1100, over 1100 graduates he'll be speak

joint chiefs chairman mark milley says he was wrong to accompany president trump on a walk through lafayette park to a nearby church last week. that event has been described as a political photo up. lucas tomlinson reports tonight from the pentagon. >> i should not have been there. >> and his first public remarks last week, general mark milley said it was a mistake to be with president trump on his walk to st. john's church. >> my presence in that moment in that environment created a perception of military involved in domestic politics. as a commissioned military officer clement was was a mistake. >> his commencement address to senior officers at the national university. general milley touched on race relations in the wake of george floyd's death saying the country still struggles with racism. >> our military is a mixed record of quality. we fought world war ii with a racially segregated in the tuskegee airmen are an example of courageous men who fought for freedom, they themselves did not enjoy at home. >> general milley received report from key ally of president trump on capitol hill. >> h

part of the image that disturbed some was seeing the nation's top general mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs, walking across lafayette park in his battle fatigues. this, of course, after mark esper next to him there, the secretary of defense, talked about dominating the battle space, describing the situation on the streets of u.s. cities. one, what is the reaction to the pentagon, and, two, what are the regulations because doesn't mark milley go to the white house normally in a suit and tie? >> well, you know, words and images matter more than anything. look, what the u.s. military knows better than anybody is peace is not brought at the end of a rifle, but the end of a police baton. u.s. military learning that overseas the hard way for decades. there is no particular regulation, but it is an image that matters. he was in his battle -- battle uniform, his battle fatigues, that is an image that i don't think there is any way around it. he chose to be in that uniform to walk across that park. and to be seen that way. later last night, he went back out on to the street and looked a

also last night, mark milley walked washington, d.c., in what's called his battle dress uniform afterhe president said he'd "put milley in charge." multiple former senior military officials o i talked to today, john, including those who work in the trump administration, said that milley's walk, esper's participating in the photo op and also espers telling governors yesterday to "dominate the battle space," militarizes a law enforcement issue and politicizes the military. these former officials were especially appalled, one of them used that word, at milley participating in that presidential photo op while he was in uniform. using the military as the face of a controversial policy high help politicians short-term term, but civil military experts say long term it degrades the military's respect among americans. >> yang: and nick, the president has said if cities or states can't protect life or property, that he's going to send the military in, and in his words, "solve the problem for them." can he do that? the. woods hole new york a word, yes, but he has to make a legal argument to do s

. >> reporter: it is, and here's the reason general mark milley is saying this, because as chairman of the joint chiefs, he really is the guardian of ensuring that the united states military remains apolitical, non-partisan, regardless of who is the president of the united states and that the u.s. military fundamentally has a good relationship with the american people, that the u.s. military does not take to the streets against american citizens peacefully protesting. that's the undercurrent here. that's why this is happening. general milley has pre-recorded a video message to graduating military students. the message was embargoed. the "new york times" went ahead with that in advance of the embargo, so now we want to bring the same information, of course, to all of our viewers, and in that message, milley is going to say, and let me quote, as many of you saw the result of the photograph of me at lafayette square last week, that sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society. i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and in that environment cre

in fact, our network is reporting army general mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, famously seen walking into lafayette park wearing camo battle fatigues, weighed the idea of resigning over the criticism of his role in the operation, which of course concluded with that awkward photo op with a bible at st. john's church. afterward, general milley reportedly spent hours looking at social media, reading news articles. he saw dozens of people calling him out for showing up in combat fatigues at a peaceful civilian protest. today he apologized for his participation. it was in the form of a video he made for graduates of the national defense university. >> as many of you saw the result of the photograph of me at lafayette square last week, that sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society. i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. as a commissioned, uniformed officer, it was a mistake that i've learned from. >> the pentagon has now ordered an afte

dozens of military leaders, and on thursday it continues when the chairman of the joint chiefs mark milleyublicly regretted taking part in that incident. >> i should not have been there. my presence in that moment and that environment created -- >> joining me now is robert gates who served as secretary of defense for both president george w. bush and barack obama. he's also the author of a new book, "exercise of power." secretary gates, welcome back to "meet the press." general millie's speech late this week after a number of attempts to put some distance between what happened. your reaction, was it appropriate and did he do it soon enough? >> i think he really wrestled, chuck, how to respond when he realized how the appearances of him being present for that photo-op seemed to the rest of the country. i think -- i've known mark milley for a long time, and he's a man of great integrity and takes his responsibilities as a military officer very seriously. i think the important thing was that he made the statement and made it with all sincerity and frankly, that, plus his statement, the writte

chairman of the joint chiefs, mark milley, just told graduates of national defense university that he regrets being part of that photo op at the church, just across the street from where we are right now. you can hear people celebrating in the park. it's been more of a street festival over the last couple days, chris, than anything else. but you're right. keep in mind, it's not just the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. former defense secretary, general jim mattis. he wrote that scathing op-ed, sharply criticizing the president. essentially, accusing him of being opposed to american values, of democracy, and respect for other points of view. and this idea that the military should not be involved in domestic politics. that is something that chairman milley mentioned in his address to the graduates. and it is -- it is -- of national defense university. and so, it's unclear as to how the president is going to strike down on all this. one thing we can tell you, chris, is a lot is going into this commencement address tomorrow. these cadets who are going to be there tomorrow, they are