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.
Republican seeks blue-state breakthrough, distances from Trump while taking aim at ‘socialist’
Suspect in string of random attacks in Georgia is naturalized citizen from UK, DHS says
DOJ sues Connecticut, New Haven over sanctuary policies: ‘Open defiance’
House avoids unprecedented four-member expulsion week as Swalwell and Gonzales resign instead
BREAKING: DHS Employee Among Victims in Georgia Murder Spree by Naturalized US Citizen
New video shows Oklahoma high school principal tackling gunman who opened fire inside the school
BREAKING: Swalwell’s Campaign Paid for Room at Hotel Where He Allegedly Raped Lonna Drewes – Same Timeframe, Same Address
Colorado highway descends into chaos after massive 75-vehicle pileup, amid hazardous winter weather
Former UCLA gynecologist sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting patients at school
Docs show migrant accused of killing Loyola student was flagged as flight risk before release
Two Congressmen Resign Hours Apart, Underscoring One Basic Commandment: Don’t Commit Adultery
Former Swalwell ally says longtime friendship with him ‘clouded my judgement’ as rumors swirled in DC
NY Nuns Fight Back After Kathy Hochul Orders Them to ‘Abandon Their Religious Beliefs’ or Close Their Nursing Home
Appeals Court Slaps Down Judge Boasberg’s Targeting of Trump Admin, Citing ‘A Clear Abuse of Discretion’
Senate GOP eyes midterm calendar ahead of Samuel Alito retirement decision
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.
Republican seeks blue-state breakthrough, distances from Trump while taking aim at ‘socialist’
Suspect in string of random attacks in Georgia is naturalized citizen from UK, DHS says
DOJ sues Connecticut, New Haven over sanctuary policies: ‘Open defiance’
House avoids unprecedented four-member expulsion week as Swalwell and Gonzales resign instead
BREAKING: DHS Employee Among Victims in Georgia Murder Spree by Naturalized US Citizen
New video shows Oklahoma high school principal tackling gunman who opened fire inside the school
BREAKING: Swalwell’s Campaign Paid for Room at Hotel Where He Allegedly Raped Lonna Drewes – Same Timeframe, Same Address
Colorado highway descends into chaos after massive 75-vehicle pileup, amid hazardous winter weather
Former UCLA gynecologist sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting patients at school
Docs show migrant accused of killing Loyola student was flagged as flight risk before release
Two Congressmen Resign Hours Apart, Underscoring One Basic Commandment: Don’t Commit Adultery
Former Swalwell ally says longtime friendship with him ‘clouded my judgement’ as rumors swirled in DC
NY Nuns Fight Back After Kathy Hochul Orders Them to ‘Abandon Their Religious Beliefs’ or Close Their Nursing Home
Appeals Court Slaps Down Judge Boasberg’s Targeting of Trump Admin, Citing ‘A Clear Abuse of Discretion’
Senate GOP eyes midterm calendar ahead of Samuel Alito retirement decision
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.
