Peril

by Bob Woodward

“Hey, aren’t you proud of walking with your president?” Trump asked. “To the church?” Milley asked. Yes, Trump said. “Why did you apologize?” “Mr. President, it’s got nothing to do with you actually.” Trump looked skeptical. “It had to do with me,” Milley said. “It had to do with this uniform. Had to do with the traditions of the United States military and that we are an apolitical organization. “You’re a politician,” Milley said. “You’re a political actor. For you to do it, that’s your call. But I cannot be part of political events, Mr. President. It’s one of our long-standing traditions.” “Why did you apologize?” the president asked again. “That’s a sign of weakness.” “Mr. President,” he said, looking directly at Trump, “not where I come from.” He was a Boston-area native. “Where I was born and how I was raised is when you make a mistake, you admit it.”