As I have mentioned, military doesn't like Trump. That's good for America.By ASHLEY PARKER AND DAN LAMOTHE | The Washington Post | Published: November 24, 2019
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked for the resignation of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer on Sunday after losing confidence in him over his handling of the case of a Navy SEAL accused of war crimes in Iraq, the Pentagon said.
Spencer’s resignation came in the wake of the controversial case of Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, a Navy SEAL who was accused of war crimes on a 2017 deployment. He was acquitted of murder but was convicted in July of posing with the corpse of a captive.
Esper asked for Spencer’s resignation after learning that he had proposed privately to White House officials that if they did not interfere with proceedings against Gallagher, then Spencer would ensure that Gallagher would be able to retire as a Navy SEAL, with his Trident insignia.
Spencer’s private proposal to the White House — which he did not share with Esper during the course of several conversations about the matter — contradicted his public position on the Gallagher case, chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Defense Secretary Mark Esper on the sidelines at a Navy-Air Force football game in Annapolis, Md., in October, 2019.
JOE GROMELSKI/STARS AND STRIPES
Esper said in the statement that he was “deeply troubled by this conduct.”
“Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position,” Esper said. “I wish Richard well.”
Spencer’s spokeswoman did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Esper and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, learned of Spencer’s private offer to the White House when they spoke with President Donald Trump on Friday, Hoffman said.
Spencer’s proposal to the White House came after Trump intervened in the cases of Gallagher and two soldiers on Nov. 15. Countering Pentagon recommendations, the president issued pardons to Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who faced a murder trial next year, and former 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, who was convicted in 2013 of the murders of two unarmed men in Afghanistan.
Trump reinstated Gallagher’s rank after the SEAL was demoted as punishment for posing for the photograph with the corpse. As a result of the actions during the past few days, Hoffman said, Esper has decided to let Gallagher keep it.
The Inevitable New The Inevitable Trump Mocking Thread
- Thread starter Nonononono
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Gallagher's crimes were initially reported by fellow SEALs who didn't want their reputation tarnished by association with him. One of the charges against him was that he threatened to kill those who reported his initial crimes.
I can see why t likes him.
Bruddah IZ
DA
Lol! "Maybe" you quoted him too
Bruddah IZ
DA
No. He didn't.
Bruddah IZ
DA
I'm sure he is well $upported in his views.
Bruddah IZ
DA
Proud papa moment for you non-readers.
Bruddah IZ
DA
So is obeying the orders of Trump whether they like him or not. It's called an Oath and a Chain of Command. "That's good for America." Wear that thin skin of yours proudly.
The Oath of enlistment is something that every service member must promise and adhere to for his/her entire military career. From the Oath, you can see that you will be defending the Constitution - not a person. Discipline and accepting orders is sworn to. Finally, you vow to face the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) should any disputes arise. The Oath of Enlistment (for enlisted): "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Bruddah IZ
DA
That's quite the threat to another SEAL. I'd say he had a 50-50 chance of carrying it out. Sucker.
Yes, he did.
As we have already discussed, he was an expert at killing from cover.
And making the threat is what he was charged with, not actually attempting to carry it out.
Bruddah IZ
DA
Lol! Team guys are all experts at killing from cover. As we have already discussed it's quite the threat to another SEAL.
Other SEALs considered it "quite a threat", and reported him for it.
You're spinning in circles.
Bruddah IZ
DA
Is that how you want to package the alleged threat?
Nobody disobeyed the President's orders. You're not aware of that? Figures!
Sheriff Joe
DA
Fake News
Bruddah IZ
DA
Yes it does. Show me where I said orders were not obeyed. You people are so sloppy with your reading.
"So is obeying the orders of Trump whether they like him or not. It's called an Oath and a Chain of Command." Right there, dum-dum. But nice try!
You have cut Izzy some slack. Although he is veteran of the Navy and should know better, he has admitted that he spent the bulk of his time as a recruiter and thus became accustomed to telling little lies to help meet his objective.
Bruddah IZ
DA
No wonder you people wander from scandal to scandal.
Bruddah IZ
DA
Name one lie.