Top officials in the US Navy reportedly threatened to resign or be fired should President Trump follow through with an order to keep disgraced Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher in the service, The New York Times reported.
Hours later, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer denied that he said he would resign while speaking at a security conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Reuters reported.
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m still here. I did not threaten to resign,” he said.
The New York Times also reported that Rear Adm. Collin Green, who leads the SEALs, said he would resign.
Regarding Gallagher, Spencer said earlier in the day that he should be judged by his peers.
“I believe the process matters for good order and discipline,” Spencer told Reuters while attending the forum. “I think we have a process in place, which we’re going forward with, and that’s my job.”
Gallagher was convicted in July of illegally posing with the dead body of an ISIS fighter. The decision resulted in a rank and pay-grade demotion — and potentially the loss of his Navy SEALs Trident Pin.
The announcement from Spencer puts him on a collision course with Trump, who personally intervened to ensure Gallagher is not expelled from the SEALs and that he would remain entitled to his pension.
“The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!” Trump tweeted Thursday.
