The Hill reported three years ago that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and others discussed what to do if then-President Donald Trump attempted to stage a coup following the 2020 election.

However, Milley provided Trump with something of an exoneration last week when he admitted that the former commander-in-chief never gave him an illegal order. 

"I never did receive an illegal order"

As the Daily Wire reported, Milley's acknowledgement came during an appearance on ABC's "This Week" with host Martha Raddatz.

"Were you concerned at any time that you might receive an illegal order after Election Day?" Raddatz asked the chairman.

"I never did receive an illegal order," Milley replied. When Raddatz asked if the general was ever worried that such an order would come, Milley insisted that this wasn't the case.

"No, you know, I argued the case at various times for alternative courses of action. Never received an illegal order," he declared.

Milley reportedly told staff, "We’re the guys with the guns"

The Hill reported that in their book "I Alone Can Fix It," Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker recalled a conversation Milley had with his deputies as Trump's term drew to a close.

Regarding the possibility of a coup, Milley was quoted as saying, "They may try, but they’re not going to f‑‑‑‑‑‑ succeed."

"You can’t do this without the military. You can’t do this without the CIA and the FBI. We’re the guys with the guns," the general reportedly added.

During his interview with Raddatz, Milley also brushed off any suggestion that another January 6-style event could occur saying, "I am confident that the United States, the democracy of this country will prevail and the rule of law will prevail.

"I’m absolutely confident of that. And these institutions are built to be strong and resilient, and to adapt to the times and I’m 100 percent confident we’ll be fine," he stressed.

Trump: "An Election is my form of 'coup'"

For his part, Trump has always denied that he ever had any intention of using the military to remain in office by force.

The Hill quoted a statement he released in July of 2021 that read, "I never threatened, or spoke about, to anyone, a coup of our Government."

"So ridiculous! Sorry to inform you, but an Election is my form of 'coup,' and if I was going to do a coup, one of the last people I would want to do it with is General Mark Milley," Trump added.