Pentagon's top general open to taking sexual assault cases out of chain of command

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley is now open to taking sexual assault cases out of the military’s chain of command, marking a potentially major shift in how the Pentagon handles the issue.

The general’s comments — offered during a flight back to Washington after a weekend ceremony in Hawaii and first reported Monday — come as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin weighs sweeping changes to how the Pentagon addresses sexual assault. A review panel already has reportedly recommended taking the matter out of the hands of commanders and...