WPRO News and The Associated Press
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says the president’s involvement in the case of a Navy SEAL accused of war crimes in Iraq erodes the military’s basic command structure and basic function of its justice system.
The Rhode Island Democrat is the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said Monday that Republican President Donald Trump’s interference was outrageous and irresponsible.
“It signals to people that they can operate outside the rule of law, the Geneva Convention, and they not only won’t be punished, they’ll be pardoned by the President,” Reed told WPRO News.
“That is a terrible precedent he’s setting, and it will severely erode the discipline and good order of the military,” said Reed.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday that Trump gave him a direct order to allow Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher to retire without losing his SEAL status.
Gallagher was acquitted of murder in the stabbing death of an Islamic State militant captive but convicted of posing with the corpse in 2017.
Trump says he’s sticking up for members of the armed forces.
Esper fired Navy Secretary Richard Spencer Sunday.
