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'The military has no role' in politics, says retiring chair of the Joint Chiefs

Mark Milley, the retiring chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

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'The military has no role' in politics, says retiring chair of the Joint Chiefs

The nation's most senior military officer has retired. He talks to All Things Considered about Donald Trump, democracy, and whether the U.S. military has been politicized.

'The military has no role' in politics, says retiring chair of the Joint Chiefs

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One senator's abortion protest leaves the Marine Corps without a permanent leader

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, pictured here speaking to reporters in the U.S. Capitol on July 10, has blocked hundreds of military nominations, causing logistical hurdles across the service. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

National Security

One senator's abortion protest leaves the Marine Corps without a permanent leader

The Marine Corps' highest-ranking officer position fell vacant on Monday thanks to a move from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who continues to block nominations to protest a Pentagon abortion policy.

Pentagon's No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity

Air Force Gen. John Hyten speaks at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska during a change of command ceremony at U.S. Strategic Command in November. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley is behind, listening. Hyten is now vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Nati Harnik/AP hide caption

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Nati Harnik/AP

America Reckons With Racial Injustice

Pentagon's No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity

Gen. John Hyten says it's "absolutely not right" that the incoming Air Force chief of staff will be the first African American to sit on the Joint Chiefs since Colin Powell, nearly three decades ago.

Pentagon's No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity

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Top U.S. General: Proposed COVID-19 Recruiting Ban 'Has Not Been Approved'

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attends a media briefing earlier this year at the Pentagon. He told NPR on Thursday that the U.S. military is still considering "a whole series of protocols" when it comes to the coronavirus. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

Top U.S. General: Proposed COVID-19 Recruiting Ban 'Has Not Been Approved'

The interim guidance — which recommends disqualifying applicants who have been hospitalized with the disease — is still under review, according to Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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