'Ebullient Officer' Is Trump's Pick for Joint Chiefs of Staff

President nominates Gen. Mark Milley to be the new chair
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 8, 2018 8:40 AM CST
Trump Makes Pick for New Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair
In this May 25, 2017, file photo, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley listens to a question while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

He teased the news Friday, and on the next day, President Trump made it official: Mark Milley has earned his nomination to be the new chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, per the Hill. The announcement came early Saturday on Twitter, with Trump announcing the four-star general would be replacing Gen. Joseph Dunford, who's set to step down from his second term next summer. Trump offered a "little hint" to reporters on the White House lawn Friday that he'd be making an announcement about this post, though he noted at the time he'd be filling everyone in at the Army-Navy game later Saturday afternoon.

"I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country!" Trump tweeted Saturday, adding, "Date of transition to be determined." The New York Times notes that Trump's pick of Milley, "an ebullient officer who is well known in the halls of the Pentagon and at Army bases around the world," may be at odds with the person Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is said to have wanted: Gen. David L. Goldfein, the chief of staff of the Air Force. More on Milley's background at the Times. (More Trump administration stories.)

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