Eddie Gallagher thanks 'true leader' Trump after Pentagon fires Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over SEAL case
Tainted Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher has found a trusted ally in President Donald Trump time and again and never has he forgotten to express his gratitude. Gallagher, who was recently pardoned by Trump but was yet under the scanner of his own organization, was favored by the president on Sunday over secretary of the Navy, and he thanked him once again.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer to step down saying the latter secretly tried to make a deal with the White House that would allow Gallagher to retire with his full rank while not losing the SEAL Trident pin. The Navy’s review of Gallagher’s place among the SEALs was seen as a hindrance to his ability to retire with full status.
In a statement, Gallagher, who was convicted of posing with the corpse of an Islamic State member in Iraq, addressed Trump saying he had his “deepest gratitude and thanks”.
He recalled how the president had come to his rescue a number of times, saying: "You stepped in numerous times and showed true moral fiber by correcting all the wrongs that were being done to me." He also said America and its military needed a “true leader” like him.
Trump’s foremost act in Gallagher’s favor took place in April when he ordered the latter, accused of war crimes, to be released from the Navy brig. Earlier this month, he restored Gallagher’s rank after the Navy busted him down to petty officer. When the Navy said that it would possibly pull his Trident, Trump asked them to “Get back to business!”
Various issues cited for Spencer's ouster
Spencer’s ouster was attributed to various reasons pertaining to his handling of the Gallagher case. While Esper said he had lost confidence in Spencer since his private stand on the matter when discussed with the White House contradicted with his public position, the president said he was not happy how Gallagher’s trial was run and said that was why Spencer was sacked.
Whatever be the real reason, there is no denying that Spencer did not share common viewpoints with Trump on “good order and discipline” and the former Navy secretary himself said so in a strong statement.
Meanwhile, Trump was quick to announce Spencer’s successor revealing his intention to nominate US Ambassador to Norway Kenneth Braithwaite for the post.
"I was not pleased with the way that Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s trial was handled by the Navy. He was treated very badly but, despite this, was completely exonerated on all major charges," Trump said in a series of tweets. "I then restored Eddie’s rank. Likewise, large cost overruns from past administration’s contracting procedures were not addressed to my satisfaction.
"Therefore, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer’s services have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. I thank Richard for his service & commitment. Eddie will retire peacefully with all of the honors that he has earned, including his Trident Pin."
Spencer, 65, was appointed as the Navy secretary by Trump in August 2017 and he had served as the acting secretary of defense and acting deputy secretary of defense in July this year.
The president then went to announce his plan about Braithwaite, saying in his tweet thread: "Admiral and now Ambassador to Norway Ken Braithwaite will be nominated by me to be the new Secretary of the Navy. A man of great achievement and success, I know Ken will do an outstanding job!"
Who is Kenneth Braithwaite?
Braithewaite, 58, is a retired Navy rear admiral. He joined the Navy in 1984 and was the Commanding Officer of the Navy Combat Camera Command during the Iraq War of 2003. He joined the Navy Reserved after his active engagement concluded and retired in 2011. He took over as the ambassador to Norway in February 2018 and his nomination for the post of the Navy secretary came at the suggestion of Esper.