Joint Chiefs of Staff Now Quarantined After Exposure to President Trump

There is no shortage of speculation occurring online these days regarding President Trump’s recent visit to Walter Reed Medical Center and, even more significantly, his return to the White House on Monday evening.

President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was revealed to the country late last week, and within hours the President had been convinced to board Marine One and head to Walter Reed – one of the most capable hospitals in the entire world.  There, the President reportedly received a number of drugs and treatments to help him battle the sometimes deadly disease.

When Trump left the hospital on Monday, there were plenty of pundits and social media users who felt as though his release was premature, and that he could be bringing coronavirus back to the White House with him.

Now, across the Potomac at The Pentagon, exposure to the President has forced several senior officials to self-quarantine.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as other top U.S. military leaders, have gone into quarantine after attending meetings at the Pentagon with a Coast Guard commander who tested positive for coronavirus, a Defense Department official said Tuesday.

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Coast Guard Adm. Charles Ray tested positive Monday after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 over the weekend. Before testing positive, Ray had attended meetings with top commanders from each of the armed services.

After Ray’s positive test results, the Joint Chiefs were tested and their results came back negative but are quarantined at home out of an abundance of caution.

One even in particular appears to be the focus of their concern.

The Pentagon’s senior leadership attended a White House reception last week for “Gold Star” families of fallen troops. Both President Trump and his wife, first lady Melania Trump attended the event.

Gen. Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is among the top officials quarantining. The 62-year-old was appointed as the most senior member of the military on December 8, 2018, by Trump.

Authorities were quick to remind the rest of the world that these circumstances do not make the United States any less prepared or capable to defend herself militarily.