US President Donald Trump on Monday reacted to the US Navy's announcement that it was continuing efforts to expel a navy special forces soldier "Navy SEALs," in defiance of the president's desire.
Trumpannounced on Monday the name of the new US Navy secretary, after Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced the dismissal of Richard Spencer.
Trumpwrote on Twitter: "I was not pleased with the way the Navy handled Eddy Gallagher's trial and was treated very badly."
"But despite that, he was completely cleared of all the main charges. Then he regained his rank. There were major abuses by the previous administration and the contracting procedures were not handled to my satisfaction."
He added: "Therefore, the services of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark. I thank Richard for his service and commitment."
"Norway's ambassador Ken Brithwaite will be nominated to be the new secretary of the navy. A man with great achievements and the ability to succeed, I know that Kane will do a great job," he said.
This week, the Navy launched a measure that could result in the demilitarization of Gallagher and three others in his unit, effectively expelling them from the Navy unit.
Trumpangrily wrote on Twitter on Thursday that "the Navy will not strip the fighter and Navy soldier Edward Gallagher of his rank."
Gallagher was charged with stabbing a young ISIS prisoner and attempting to kill other civilians in Iraq in 2017 and obstructing the course of justice.
Gallagher was acquitted of most of the charges in July, but was convicted for taking a picture with other soldiers in front of the young man's body and demoted.
0 Comments