Robert Gates: Esper, Milley Likely Learned 'Powerful Lesson'

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley have most likely learned a "powerful lesson" from the events at Lafayette Square, from where protesters were removed through the use of force to make way for a photo appearance by President Donald Trump, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday. 

"Personally, I believe they didn't know quite what they were getting into and then realized that they were being used for a political prop," Gates said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," during an appearance to promote his new book "Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes and a New Path Forward in the Post Cold War World."  

Milley has apologized for his role in the June 1 incident, when he walked with Trump and other administration officials to the church. Esper, meanwhile, said that he had not known that the walk was for the purpose of Trump's photo op and split from Trump on the issue of using active-duty troops against George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protesters. 

"I think it's been a powerful lesson, particularly the reaction that they received from former senior military officers, a couple of former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several others who essentially pushed back and said these kinds of photo ops and political events undermine the apolitical reputation and ethos of the American military," said Gates. 

He added that Milley and Esper will be "far more cautious in the future," and probably also "more adamant about not being exploited in political pictures."

Gates, though, said that every president he's worked for likes to use the military "as a prop," but Trump "takes it to a whole new level."

"Frankly I think it's a lesson that will be passed down certainly in the military ranks to those coming along in somewhat more junior positions. It's been a reminder of the importance of the apolitical nature of the American military," said Gates. "The military does not serve one president, doesn't serve one party, it serves the country as a whole."

• Sen. Cotton Commends Milley for Apology About Lafayette Square
• Esper, Milley Refuse to Testify Before House Committee on Military Response to Protests