One man just did two things you rarely see.

Yesterday, General Mark Milley — who, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is our nation’s highest-ranking military officer and a key adviser to the president — apologized for taking part in Donald Trump’s sacrilegious photo-op last week at a church across the street from the White House.

Here’s what General Milley said:

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. ... We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation. And we must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic. And this is not easy. It takes time and work and effort. But it may be the most important thing each and every one of us does every single day.

This statement is unusual in a couple of ways:

1. While the Trump administration is overflowing with corrupt and dishonest people exploiting their positions as government officials to enrich themselves and their cronies, it is a rare day indeed when someone who is or has been part of the administration — even someone who may not be corrupt — offers a sincere apology for anything they have done.

2. Military personnel — especially those who rise to the rank of general — are not in the habit of speaking out publicly against the commander in chief. It is quite telling that General Milley felt compelled to apologize for something he did at Donald Trump’s behest.

General Milley’s apology comes as Americans are rising up in a way we haven’t seen for at least a generation.

• We are rising up to lament the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many more of our fellow citizens.

• We are rising up to call out the ongoing injustices of systemic racism.

• We are rising up to demand an end to bias and brutality by law enforcement.

Perhaps General Milley’s courage can serve as a model at this watershed moment for our country.

Sign our petition urging the Joint Chiefs of Staff to join General Milley in confirming that they “hold dear the principle of an apolitical military.”

Add your name.

Thank you for taking action.

In unity,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

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