Peril author Bob Woodward reveals Gen. Milley briefed top brass about China call and ordered Pacific region admiral to CANCEL operations that could be seen as 'provocative': Trump allies say he undermined President's orders
General Mark Milley briefed four entities on his talks with China behind then-President Donald Trump's back, 'Peril 'author Bob Woodward revealed Monday, saying the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered operations to cease that he thought Beijing could see as 'provocative.'
He said that he wasn't aware he was reporting on any 'treasonous behavior' by writing about Milley's backchannel calls with China because there was 'nothing hidden' about it happening at the time.
'After the call he then gave a full briefing to four people,' Woodward told Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos on Monday morning where he was joined by co-author Robert Costa.
He revealed that Milley discussed the call with then-CIA Director Gina Haspel, NSA Director Paul Nakasone, heads of the different military branches and an admiral in charge of the Pacific operations.
Woodward said Milley told Haspel to 'Watch everything 360.'
'Talked to Paul Nakasone, who heads National Security Agency, which does worldwide eavesdropping, and said, 'needles up,' which is an expression – 'listen everywhere,' Woodward said of Milley. 'He talked to the chiefs – the head of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and said, 'Fulltime, watch everything.' And then he called the admiral in charge of the region in the Pacific and canceled – asked him to cancel operations that the Chinese might see as provocative.'
Journalist and author Bob Woodward said Monday morning that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley briefed four entities on his backchannel calls with China behind then-President Trump's back
Woodward said Milley told then-CIA Director Gina Hapsel (left) to 'watch everything' and warned National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone (right) 'needles up,' which is an expression that means 'listen everywhere'
'Peril,' by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa will be released by Simon & Schuster on September 21 – detailing the transition from Trump to Biden
'So there's nothing hidden about this,' Woodward assured. 'It is a top secret backchannel.'
'Peril,' which details the unusual transition from the Trump presidency to Joe Biden, hits shelves on Tuesday.
Excerpts from the book revealed last week that Woodward wrote about Milley speaking to China about then-President Trump's perceived instability following his election loss to Biden and the Capitol riot.
The reporting from the book indicates that Milley was worried about Trump launching an attack to stay in power and promised China he would warn them of any impending attack.
'Two days after the insurrection at the Capitol was a moment of maximum tension,' Woodward said.
Milley's reported actions were immediately slammed by politicians and former military leaders as 'treasonous behavior' and called for Milley to step down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Woodward was asked when he was writing about Milley's talks with Chinese if he thought he was documenting treasonous behavior.
'No, not at all,' Woodward replied on Monday.
Milley has come under fire for 'treasonous behavior' by calling China behind Trump's back to promise to warn them of any incoming attack from the U.S. after the Capitol riot
Milley spokesman Colonel Dave Butler last Wednesday essentially confirmed the call.
'The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs regularly communicates with Chiefs of Defense across the world, including with China and Russia,' Butler said in a statement on the matter. 'His calls with the Chinese and others in October and January were in keeping with these duties and responsibilities conveying reassurance in order to maintain strategic stability.'
Former Assistant Secretary of the Army E. Casey Wardynski, who served under Trump, accused Milley and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville of engaging in a 'pattern of behavior' that overstepped their authority and undermined Trump.
'These kind of behaviors and this willingness for military leaders to exceed their authorities and ignore authorities of the civilian officials appointed over them … positions under the Constitution and laws of the country was not something that came to them on January 8,' Wardynski told Fox News.
'It was something that they had done for a while.'
Wardynski is a former assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from the Trump era. He accused Milley and McConville of statements insinuating they were calling the shots.
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