Milley says Confederates committed 'treason,' backs review of Army base names

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley on Thursday condemned Confederate leaders as traitors and said he supports a review of Army bases named after those who fought against the Union, a viewpoint that puts him at odds with the commander in chief.

Pressed by Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) about the 10 Army installations named for Confederate leaders, Milley told the House Armed Services Committee that the military needs "to take a hard look at the symbology" of the Civil War - such as base names, display of the Confederate battle flag and statues - as well as improve in other areas such as "the substance of promotions."

"The American Civil War ... was an act of treason at the time against the Union, against the Stars and Stripes, against the U.S. Constitution - and those officers turned their backs on their oath," Milley said. "Now, some have a different view of that. Some think it's heritage. Others think it's hate."