The Pentagon announced Sunday afternoon that Defense Secretary Mark Esper has asked Navy Secretary Richard Spencer to resign for not telling him that he had a private conversation with the White House over the taking away of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher’s Navy SEAL Trident pin.
“Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper has asked for the resignation of Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer after losing trust and confidence in him regarding his lack of candor over conversations with the White House involving the handling of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement Sunday.
Trump had intervened in recent weeks to restore Gallagher’s rank, which was reduced by the Navy after he was convicted of taking a photo with a deceased Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighter.
The Navy then announced it would launch a review board to consider whether to take away Gallagher’s Trident pin, essentially kicking him out of the Navy SEALs. Trump tweeted that the Navy would do no such thing, but Spencer said it would proceed until receiving an official order from the president, which he would follow.
Two arrested at Costco after alleged fraudulent credit card shopping spree
Wild video captures apartment complex electrical room explosion as firefighters investigate smoke call
Two People Climb to the Top of Empire State Building Antenna, Fly Banner with Message
Coalition of 25 states sues Trump admin over Medicaid work rule designed to prevent fraud
Internal emails expose how July 4th bash is being derailed by Dem-run county: ‘Offensive’
Michelle Obama Went ‘Absolutely Ballistic’ and Blocked RFK Jr.’s Wife Cheryl Hines from Appearing in New Show: Report
Walz, Minnesota Board of Pardons clears convicted illegal alien child sex offender facing deportation
Trump Takes First Flight on New Air Force One: ‘Nobody’s Ever Seen Anything Like It’
Kamala Harris Privately Consulting with Zohran Mamdani and Other Radical Leftists as She Maneuvers for 2028: Report
ICE surges enforcement, makes 10,000 arrests in five days amid Supreme Court birthright citizenship decision
McConnell was found ‘unconscious’ in home last month as condition remains unknown
Congressman Gets Mixed Response After Explaining Why He Disappeared for Four Months
Fox News Poll: A close Senate contest is brewing in Iowa
SEE IT: Trump rides Freedom Train to Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library ahead of grand opening
Meet the Poster Child for Why Birthright Citizenship Is Horrible: Rep. Ramirez – Born to an Illegal and Now Trashes America and Supporters Terrorists
The Pentagon said in its statement that after Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley spoke with President Trump on Friday regarding Gallagher’s case, Esper learned that “Spencer had previously and privately proposed to the White House — contrary to Spencer’s public position — to restore Gallagher’s rank and allow him to retire with his Trident pin.”
“When recently asked by Secretary Esper, Secretary Spencer confirmed that despite multiple conversations on the Gallagher matter, Secretary Esper was never informed by Secretary Spencer of his private proposal,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman also announced that Esper has directed that Gallagher retain his Trident pin, and that Navy Under Secretary Thomas Modley would now be acting Navy secretary.
Hoffman said:
Secretary Esper’s position with regard to UCMJ, disciplinary, and fitness for duty actions has always been that the process should be allowed to play itself out objectively and deliberately, in fairness to all parties. However, at this point, given the events of the last few days, Secretary Esper has directed that Gallagher retain his Trident pin. Secretary Esper will meet with Navy Under Secretary (now Acting Secretary) Thomas Modley and the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday on Monday morning to discuss the way ahead.
Two arrested at Costco after alleged fraudulent credit card shopping spree
Wild video captures apartment complex electrical room explosion as firefighters investigate smoke call
Two People Climb to the Top of Empire State Building Antenna, Fly Banner with Message
Coalition of 25 states sues Trump admin over Medicaid work rule designed to prevent fraud
Internal emails expose how July 4th bash is being derailed by Dem-run county: ‘Offensive’
Michelle Obama Went ‘Absolutely Ballistic’ and Blocked RFK Jr.’s Wife Cheryl Hines from Appearing in New Show: Report
Walz, Minnesota Board of Pardons clears convicted illegal alien child sex offender facing deportation
Trump Takes First Flight on New Air Force One: ‘Nobody’s Ever Seen Anything Like It’
Kamala Harris Privately Consulting with Zohran Mamdani and Other Radical Leftists as She Maneuvers for 2028: Report
ICE surges enforcement, makes 10,000 arrests in five days amid Supreme Court birthright citizenship decision
McConnell was found ‘unconscious’ in home last month as condition remains unknown
Congressman Gets Mixed Response After Explaining Why He Disappeared for Four Months
Fox News Poll: A close Senate contest is brewing in Iowa
SEE IT: Trump rides Freedom Train to Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library ahead of grand opening
Meet the Poster Child for Why Birthright Citizenship Is Horrible: Rep. Ramirez – Born to an Illegal and Now Trashes America and Supporters Terrorists
The Pentagon statement included a quote from Esper: “I am deeply troubled by this conduct shown by a senior DOD official. Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position. I wish Richard well.”
Esper has proposed that Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite, current U.S. Ambassador to Norway and a retired Navy Rear Admiral, be considered as the next Secretary of the Navy, the statement said.
Story cited here.
