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Pentagon chief fires navy secretary over handling of Seal case Pentagon chief fires navy secretary over handling of Seal case
(about 7 hours later)
Trump repeatedly intervened in case of Edward Gallagher but navy secretary Richard Spencer said tweets were not formal ordersTrump repeatedly intervened in case of Edward Gallagher but navy secretary Richard Spencer said tweets were not formal orders
The navy secretary, Richard Spencer, has acknowledged his “termination”, after the US defense secretary, Mark Esper, requested he resign 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.The navy secretary, Richard Spencer, has acknowledged his “termination”, after the US defense secretary, Mark Esper, requested he resign 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.
Donald Trump took direct interest in Gallagher’s case, tweeting on the subject and reversing a military disciplinary decision.Donald Trump took direct interest in Gallagher’s case, tweeting on the subject and reversing a military disciplinary decision.
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.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.
It was reported on Sunday that Esper asked for 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]”.It was reported on Sunday that Esper asked for 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]”.
The Washington Post reported that Spencer did not share this private proposal with Esper. 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.”The Washington Post reported that Spencer did not share this private proposal with Esper. 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.”
In Spencer’s resignation, the ousted navy secretary described the rule of law in the armed forces as what “sets us apart from our adversaries” and that “good order and discipline is what has enabled our victory against foreign tyranny time and again”.In Spencer’s resignation, the ousted navy secretary described the rule of law in the armed forces as what “sets us apart from our adversaries” and that “good order and discipline is what has enabled our victory against foreign tyranny time and again”.
In a direct swipe at President Trump, Spencer said:“Unfortunately it has become apparent that in this respect, I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principle of good order and discipline.”In a direct swipe at President Trump, Spencer said:“Unfortunately it has become apparent that in this respect, I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principle of good order and discipline.”
Donald Trump responded on Twitter, saying he was not happy with the way Gallagher’s trial was handed by the navy: “He was treated very badly but, despite this was completely exonerated on all major charges,” he said, acknowledging that he restored the Navy Seal’s rank.Donald Trump responded on Twitter, saying he was not happy with the way Gallagher’s trial was handed by the navy: “He was treated very badly but, despite this was completely exonerated on all major charges,” he said, acknowledging that he restored the Navy Seal’s rank.
Trump then linked Spencer’s exit to “contracting procedures that were not addressed to my satisfaction”. He said the US Ambassador to Norway, Ken Braithwaite, would be nominated to replace him.Trump then linked Spencer’s exit to “contracting procedures that were not addressed to my satisfaction”. He said the US Ambassador to Norway, Ken Braithwaite, would be nominated to replace him.
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. On Sunday it was widely reported that the White House had confirmed it would not stop disciplinary proceedings against Gallagher.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. On Sunday it was widely reported that the White House had confirmed it would not stop disciplinary proceedings against Gallagher.
After the Trump intervened to order the navy to restore Gallagher’s pay and rank, the navy 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. After Trump intervened to order the navy to restore Gallagher’s pay and rank, the navy 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!”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.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.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.”“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.”
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.”