As part of an upcoming report for 60 MINUTES, CBS EVENING NEWS managing editor and anchor Norah O’Donnell led several in-depth discussions with chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Mark Milley, who shared his first response to former President Donald Trump’s recent claim that his former top military advisor deserves to be punished by death. When asked by O’Donnell if he worries for his safety, General Milley shared, “I’ve got adequate safety precautions. I wish those comments had not been made, but they were. And I’ll take appropriate measures to ensure my safety and the safety of my family.” Watch here.

The 60 MINUTES preview aired tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 27, on the CBS EVENING NEWS (6:30-7:00 PM ET) on the CBS Television Network. The full interview will be broadcast on 60 MINUTES on a future date.

A transcript of the excerpt is below.

MUST CREDIT 60 MINUTES

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT

NORAH O’DONNELL: TONIGHT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL MARK MILLEY IS RESPONDING TO SHOCKING COMMENTS POSTED ONLINE BY DONALD TRUMP. THE FORMER PRESIDENT SUGGESTED LAST FRIDAY THAT THE NATION’S HIGHEST RANKING MILITARY OFFICER DESERVES TO BE EXECUTED FOR COMMUNICATIONS THE GENERAL HAD WITH CHINA DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

O‘DONNELL: President Trump recently said that your dealings with China were “so egregious that in times gone by, the punishment would have been death.”

GENERAL MARK MILLEY: That’s right. He said that. That’s correct.

O’DONNELL: He is suggesting that you be punished by death. The former commander-in-chief to his former top military advisor.

MILLEY: Look, I’m–I’m a soldier. I’ve been faithful and loyal to the Constitution of the United States for 44-and-a-half years.

And my family and I have sacrificed greatly for this country. My mother and father before them. –And, you know, as–as much as–you know, these comments are directed at me, it’s also directed at the institution of the military.

And–there’s–there’s 2.1 million of us in uniform. And–and the American people can take it to the bank that all of us, every single one of us, from private to general, were loyal to that Constitution. And we’ll never turn our back on it no matter what.

No matter what the threats. No matter what the humiliation. No matter what. If we’re willing to die for that document, if we’re willing to deploy to combat, if we’re willing to–lose an arm, a leg, an eye–to protect and–and support and defend that document and protect the American people, then we’re willin’ to live for it, too. So I’m not gonna comment directly on those–those things. But I can tell you that–this military–this soldier, me–will never turn our back on that Constitution.

O’DONNELL: But for the record, was there anything inappropriate or treasonous about the calls you made to China–

MILLEY: Absolutely not. Zero. None.

O’DONNELL: It almost seems odd to ask this question–because the former commander-in-chief seems to be calling for your execution. Are you worried about your safety?

MILLEY: I’ve got adequate safety precautions. I–I wish those comments had not been made, but they were. And–I’ll take appropriate measures to ensure my safety and the safety of my family.

Press Contacts:

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