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Trump tweets on Seal case are not formal orders, US navy secretary says Pentagon chief asks for navy secretary's resignation over handling of Seal case
(about 2 hours later)
President touts Edward Gallagher appearance on Fox & Friends but disciplinary procedure over Isis corpse case set to continue Trump repeatedly intervened in case of Edward Gallagher but navy secretary Richard Spencer said tweets were not formal orders
Amid controversy over Donald Trump’s intervention in the case of Edward Gallagher, a Navy Seal convicted for posing with the corpse of an Isis fighter in Iraq, US navy secretary Richard Spencer said he did not view a presidential tweet as a formal order necessary to halt a review of the sailor’s conduct. US defense secretary Mark Esper requested the resignation of navy secretary Richard Spencer on Sunday, over his handling of the case of Edward Gallagher, a Navy Seal officer accused of war crimes and convicted for posing with the corpse of an Isis fighter in Iraq.
“I need a formal order to act,” Spencer reportedly said at a security conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday. “I don’t interpret [tweets] as a formal order.” Donald Trump took direct interest in Gallagher’s case, tweeting on the subject and reversing a military disciplinary decision.
On Saturday the New York Times reported that Spencer and the head of the elite Seals force had threatened to resign over Trump’s interference, though Spencer later denied it. On Sunday, it was widely reported that the White House had confirmed it would not stop disciplinary proceedings against Gallagher. In a statement quoted by the Washington Post, Esper said he was “deeply troubled by this conduct” and added: “Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position. I wish Richard well.”
Gallagher was acquitted of a murder charge related to the 2017 stabbing death of the Isis fighter, but was demoted in rank. Trump intervened in the case last week, ordering the navy to restore Gallagher’s pay and rank, a move which would allow him to retire with a full pension. Spencer had struggled to navigate the Gallagher case. On Saturday he denied a New York Times report which said he and Rear Adm Collin Green, the commander of the Navy Seals, had threatened to resign.
Several days later, however, the navy told Gallagher five fellow commandos would meet on 2 December for a disciplinary proceeding which would recommend whether he is fit to remain a Seal. Three officers who supervised Gallagher were also reported to be facing review. On Sunday it was widely reported that the White House had confirmed it would not stop disciplinary proceedings against Gallagher.
Trump reacted angrily, tweeting: “The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin [the badge denoting qualification for the elite force]. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!” But the Washington Post reported that Esper had requested Spencer’s resignation “after learning that he had privately proposed to White House officials that if they did not interfere with proceedings against Gallagher, Spencer would ensure that Gallagher was able to retire as a Navy Seal, with his Trident insignia [the badge denoting qualification for the elite force]”.
Gallagher’s attorneys alleged navy officials were pushing to strip Gallagher’s Seal designation in retaliation for Trump reinstating his rank. Gallagher reportedly submitted a complaint, accusing Seal commander Rear Adm Collin Green of insubordination for defying the president’s actions. Gallagher was acquitted of a murder charge related to the 2017 stabbing death of the Isis fighter, but was demoted in rank. Trump intervened last week, ordering the navy to restore Gallagher’s pay and rank, a move which would allow him to retire with a full pension.
On Saturday Spencer addressed the Times report which said he and Green had threatened to quit, telling reporters: “Contrary to popular belief, I am still here. I did not threaten to resign. But let us just say we are here to talk about external threats and Eddie Gallagher is not one of them.” The navy then told Gallagher five fellow commandos would meet on 2 December for a disciplinary proceeding which would recommend whether he was fit to remain a Seal. Three officers who supervised Gallagher were also reported to be facing review.
Trump reacted angrily, tweeting: “The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!”
Gallagher’s attorneys alleged navy officials were pushing to strip Gallagher’s Seal designation in retaliation for Trump reinstating his rank. Gallagher reportedly submitted a complaint, accusing Rear Adm Green of insubordination for defying the president’s actions.
On Saturday, amid continuing controversy, Spencer said he did not view a presidential tweet as a formal order.
“I need a formal order to act,” Spencer reportedly said at a security conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday. “I don’t interpret [tweets] as a formal order.”
He also addressed the Times report which said he and Green had threatened to quit, telling reporters: “Contrary to popular belief, I am still here. I did not threaten to resign. But let us just say we are here to talk about external threats and Eddie Gallagher is not one of them.”
The navy secretary did note, however, that if Trump formally requested the disciplinary process should stop, it would stop.The navy secretary did note, however, that if Trump formally requested the disciplinary process should stop, it would stop.
“Good order and discipline is also obeying the orders of the president of the United States,” he said. “The president of the United States is the commander in chief. He’s involved in every aspect of government and he can make decisions and give orders as appropriate.”“Good order and discipline is also obeying the orders of the president of the United States,” he said. “The president of the United States is the commander in chief. He’s involved in every aspect of government and he can make decisions and give orders as appropriate.”
On Sunday, Trump continued to tweet his support for Gallagher. Earlier on Sunday, Trump had continued to tweet his support for Gallagher.
“Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher will be on [Fox & Friends] this morning at 7.30am,” he wrote. “Have no fear, all will end well for everyone!”“Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher will be on [Fox & Friends] this morning at 7.30am,” he wrote. “Have no fear, all will end well for everyone!”
Appearing on the president’s favourite Fox News show, Gallagher doubled down on his allegation that navy officials were retaliating against him.Appearing on the president’s favourite Fox News show, Gallagher doubled down on his allegation that navy officials were retaliating against him.
“They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted,” he said. “Now they’re trying to take it after the president restored my rank.”“They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted,” he said. “Now they’re trying to take it after the president restored my rank.”
Gallagher also said he wanted to retire on 30 November “with all the honors that I’ve earned, get back to my family”.Gallagher also said he wanted to retire on 30 November “with all the honors that I’ve earned, get back to my family”.
Neither Gallagher’s lawyer nor the navy responded to requests for comment.Neither Gallagher’s lawyer nor the navy responded to requests for comment.
Trump has supported other service members implicated in wrongdoing. On the day he restored Gallagher’s rank, he also pardoned two US army soldiers. One was scheduled to go on trial in 2020 for allegedly killing a suspected Afghan bomb-maker. The other was convicted of murder after commanding subordinates to open fire on three Afghans, resulting in two deaths.Trump has supported other service members implicated in wrongdoing. On the day he restored Gallagher’s rank, he also pardoned two US army soldiers. One was scheduled to go on trial in 2020 for allegedly killing a suspected Afghan bomb-maker. The other was convicted of murder after commanding subordinates to open fire on three Afghans, resulting in two deaths.
Announcing Gallagher’s rank restoration and the two pardons, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the president was charged with making sure the law was upheld and that “mercy is granted” when appropriate.Announcing Gallagher’s rank restoration and the two pardons, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the president was charged with making sure the law was upheld and that “mercy is granted” when appropriate.
“For more than 200 years, presidents have used their authority to offer second chances to deserving individuals, including those in uniform who have served our country,” she said. “These actions are in keeping with this long history.”“For more than 200 years, presidents have used their authority to offer second chances to deserving individuals, including those in uniform who have served our country,” she said. “These actions are in keeping with this long history.”
Trump has repeatedly bemoaned the fate of US service members accused or convicted of wrongdoing on the battlefield.Trump has repeatedly bemoaned the fate of US service members accused or convicted of wrongdoing on the battlefield.
“Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard and long,” he said in May. “You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometimes they get really treated very unfairly.”“Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard and long,” he said in May. “You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometimes they get really treated very unfairly.”