Trump wanted to dip into the Navy’s operation and excuse a member of the elite SEALs, one who was accused of war crimes in Iraq. The SEAL took a picture of himself standing over a the corpse of his Islamic State prisoner in much the same manner as the president’s son Don Jr. stood over his African trophy elephant shoot.
POTUS decided to pardon three men convicted of war crimes. One of them was demoted former SEAL Eddie Gallagher. POTUS apparently believes that would look good to his base. A number of the president’s advisers and top officials met with him time after time trying to convince him that reinstating the criminal to SEAL status, retaining his Tident insignia, was a bad idea.
Ignoring all of them, the president ordered the firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer. Trump wrote, according to The Washington Post:
‘Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer’s services have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. I thank Richard for his service & commitment.’
By interfering in the Naval process, Trump “fundamentally undermined good order and discipline.” Unfortunately, when the president does not follow protocol in government issues, his outcomes, either accidentally or intentionally, have gone afoul. Order and discipline have always been the glue that has held the military together cohesively.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said 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. I wish Richard well.’
Spencer wrote:
‘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. I cannot in good conscience obey an order that I believe violates the sacred oath I took in the presence of my family, my flag and my faith to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.’
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) talked to Spencer and said:
‘I told him he’s a patriot, that he served the Navy and the nation well and he will be missed.’
Still on active duty, Gallagher went on Fox and Friends Sunday, which was a serious error in judgment, and said:
‘This is all about ego and retaliation. This has nothing to do with good order and discipline. They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted. Now they’re trying to take it after the president restored my rank.’
Trump wrote:
“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 said he was thrilled with the president’s intervention:
‘I don’t know how many times I’ve thanked the president. He keeps stepping in and doing the right thing.’
Spencer sent the following letter to Donald Trump, which read:
‘The rule of law is what sets us apart from our adversaries. Good order and discipline is what has enabled our victory against foreign tyranny time and time again.’
The secretary continued:
‘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. I cannot in good conscience obey an order that I believe violates the sacred oath I took in the presence of my family, my flag and my faith to support and defense the Constitution of the United States.’
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
