The Pentagon on Monday removed a portrait of retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Donald Trump's first administration and who publicly sparred with Trump.

The move came at about 12:45 p.m., near the time Trump was sworn in for a second presidency.

The Pentagon confirmed the portrait had been removed, after being hung on a wall earlier this month, but referred comment to the White House, according to The Hill newspaper.

Trump has described Milley as "slow moving and thinking," and Milley has called him a fascist. 

Earlier in the day, President Biden pardoned Milley, in anticipation of legal retaliation by Trump.