A new book entitled "Soldier Secretary: Warnings from the Battlefield & the Pentagon about America's Most Dangerous Enemies," by former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, claims that former First Lady Melania Trump was present during a 2019 raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
According to the book, Melania Trump suggested promoting the story of the hero dog that took part in the operation.
Miller described her presence as unexpected, and wondered how it would play in the press if word got out that the first lady had popped in to watch such a major military operation.
Former first lady Melania Trump was present during a major military operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019, according to the book "Soldier Secretary" by former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.
Miller also claimed that she nudged the administration to promote the story of the hero dog that took part in the operation.
Melania Trump watched the operation alongside former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley in the Situation Room.
According to Miller, Melania's presence was unexpected and he wondered how it would look if word got out that she had watched a major military operation.
While the New York Post attributes her prompt to suggest promoting the story of the hero dog, The Independent reports that the experts have criticized her presence in the Situation Room for an operation of such stature.
On the other hand, Vanity Fair suggests that, despite evidence to the contrary, Melania Trump may have been more intimately involved in matters of government, as evidenced by her presence in the Situation Room that day.
It is common for first ladies to attend and observe such military operations as part of their ceremonial roles.
Melania Trump's presence in the Situation Room likely blurred the line between ceremonial duties and governmental involvement, leading to differing characterisations of what her presence might actually mean.