President Trump announced Saturday he intends to nominate Army Gen. Mark Milley to replace retiring Gen. Joe Dunford as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country! Date of transition to be determined," the president said on Twitter.



....I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country! Date of transition to be determined. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018



Trump had teased the announcement Friday morning on his way to a speech at a law enforcement conference in Missouri, and the move was widely reported Friday afternoon.

Milley, who already sits on the Joint Chiefs as Army chief of staff, would replace Dunford, whose term expires next fall, as the country’s top uniformed officer. Milley, currently the highest-ranking Army officer, faces Senate confirmation but is unlikely to prove controversial.

Trump had been rumored to be making the announcement at the annual Army-Navy football game, which he is scheduled to attend — and possibly oversee the coin toss for — Saturday afternoon.