'Rule of law is what sets us apart': Richard Spencer's scathing final letter as Navy secretary [View all]

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'Rule of law is what sets us apart': Richard Spencer's scathing final letter as Navy secretary

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/25/richard-spencers-last-letter-navy-chief-after-seal-gallagher-case/4295123002/


Richard Spencer did not go quietly after Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked for his resignation as secretary of the Navy over his handling of the case of SEAL Eddie Gallagher, whose demotion for taking a photo with a corpse had been reversed by President Donald Trump.

In the letter he submitted on his way out the door, he did not say that he resigned but rather stated, "I hereby acknowledge my termination."

The letter delivered a scathing rebuke of Trump, who he said did not agree with him on the importance of military justice and discipline. He also said he had been given an order that he could not in "good conscience obey."

The Navy had planned a review that could have led to Gallagher's expulsion from the elite SEAL commando group, but Trump said in a tweet that Gallagher should remain a SEAL. A day after denying news reports that he had threatened to resign over Trump's intervention, Spencer was out. ...................................


Trump defends decision to order Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher to keep Trident pin https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/25/mark-esper-says-trump-ordered-seal-edward-gallagher-keep-status/4299155002/ via @usatoday