While Esper's job doesn't appear to be in imminent jeopardy, his influence inside the White House is now in question. The lack of a reaction inside the White House to Milley's apology may also be a reflection of Trump's personal affection for Milley. 'I should not have been there'Minutes before protesters were forcefully cleared from Lafayette Square outside the White House on June 1, Milley was spotted alongside Attorney General William Barr surveying the scene. After the White House events last week, Milley talked to longstanding mentors about "the situation" he found himself in, according to a defense official. "We understand that the White House may be preventing you from testifying, obstructing Congress' ability to conduct its constitutionally charge oversight responsibility," Smith said in a statement this week.

Source: CNN June 12, 2020 02:01 UTC