Kelly: Honor Lee for fight against U.S.

WHITE HOUSE chief of staff John Kelly on Monday lauded the contentious military leader Gen. Robert E. Lee as an “honorable man” while challenging the removal of Civil War memorials.

“History is history,” the retired Marine general (photo) said before eulogizing the Confederate commander for his loyalty.

“He was a man that gave up his country to fight for his state, which 150 years ago was more important than country,” Kelly said during the interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. “It was always loyalty to state first back in those days. Now it’s different today.”

He ultimately said an inability to “compromise” led to the bloody war between the Union and Confederates, and “both sides made their stand.”

Kelly’s remarks appeared to disregard mounting demands nationwide to dismantle Confederate statues for symbolizing racism. Ingraham had asked the Trump staffer for comment on a similar removal at an Alexandria, Va., church.

The Episcopal Church once attended by Lee and George Washington decided Thursday to remove two plaques dedicated to the former parishioners, believing the set was an “obstacle to our identity as a welcoming church.”

Kelly jokingly suggested replacing statues of Lee with a “cult hero,” such as pop artist Andy Warhol.

Additionally, Kelly doubled down on his refusal to apologize for making false comments about Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) after the death of a Green Beret in Niger.

“I will apologize if I need to, but for something like this, absolutely not. I stand by my comments,” he said.