Why Did Mark Milley’s Portrait Go MIA From the Pentagon?
COMMENTARY by Susan Katz Keating
Is Mark Milley getting a new painting to replace the one the Pentagon removed from its walls on Monday?
Speculation swirled on Jan 20 as to why the Pentagon took down the portrait of retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, less than two weeks after unveiling it. The painting, which hung inside the Joint Chiefs hallway alongside those of other former chairmen, vanished on the same day Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States.
News of the artwork going MIA first was announced Monday afternoon on social media.
I have no inside scoop on why the painting was removed, and only can try to decode what may have happened.
First, there is logic. It makes no sense that officials would remove a portrait that is part of a lineage display. After all, Milley – no matter how poorly anyone might view his tenure – legitimately was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A clue might be found within actions from Joe Biden in his last hours as commander in chief. Biden issued preemptive pardons on Monday to Milley and several others, a move the president presented as a gesture of appreciation rather than an implication of wrongdoing.
The pardon includes any potential actions under the UCMJ, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which underpins the system of military law in the U.S. armed forces. The official clemency means the Army cannot recall Milley in order to charge him with criminal acts.
Rather than look at Milley, it might make better sense to consider the painting itself. Maybe it isn’t up to date – or won’t be.
The pardon does not cover whether the portrait is reworked to present an updated image of Milley; such as, if U.S. military units withdraw their tabs; or if foreign countries withdraw their orders of merit.
Again, the above is speculation, and is based on trying to make sense of the painting going MIA from the Pentagon.
The Pentagon confirmed on background to journalists that the painting had been removed, but directed additional questions to the White House.
Time will tell whether it returns, and in what form.
Susan Katz Keating is the publisher and editor in chief at Soldier of Fortune.