The Secretary of the Navy, Richard V. Spencer, has been fired. What is revelatory is what he was fired for.
As we posted last month, in January, Spencer made a promise to President Trump that the advanced weapons elevators on the new carrier USS Gerald R. Ford would be operational by the end of the summer or the president should fire him. The elevators are not operational and without them, as one critic has noted the most expensive warship in history is little more than a “$13-billion nuclear-powered floating berthing barge.” Nevertheless, that was not what Secretary Spencer was fired for.
The current occupant of the Oval Office recently pardoned three officers convicted or accused of war crimes, despite objections from the Pentagon. One of whom was Edward Gallagher, who was acquitted of a murder charge in the stabbing death of an Islamic State militant captive, but convicted of posing with the corpse while in Iraq in 2017.
Tweeter in Chief also attacked the Navy for proceeding with disciplinary actions against Gallagher which would strip him of his SEAL Trident. Secretary Spencer replied that he didn’t consider a tweet an order and would need a formal order to stop a review of a sailor who could lose his status as a Navy SEAL.
Yesterday, Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, was asked to resign. After suggesting that he should be fired if the USS Gerald R. Ford was not operational by last summer, he was fired for not supporting the pardon of a war criminal. So, for this administration, broken ships are OK, but standing against war crimes is not.
An excerpt from Richard Spencer’s letter of resignation:
As Secretary of the Navy, one of the most important responsibilities I have to our people is to maintain good order and discipline throughout the ranks. I regard this as deadly serious business. The lives of our Sailors, Marines and civilian teammates quite literally depend on the professional execution our many missions, and they also depend on the ongoing faith and support of the people we serve and the allies we serve alongside.
The rule of law is what sets us apart from our adversaries. Good order and discipline is what has enabled our victory against foreign tyranny time and again, from Captain Lawrence’s famous order “Don’t Give up the Ship” to the discipline and determination that propelled our flag to the highest point of Iwo Jima.
The Constitution, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, are the shields that set us apart, and the beacons that protect us all. Through my Title Ten Authority, I have strived to ensure our proceedings are fair, transparent and consistent, from the newest recruit to the Flag and General Officer level.
Unfortunately, it has become apparent that in this respect, I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principle of good order and discipline. I cannot in good conscience obey an order that I believe violates the sacred oath I took in the presence of my family, my flag and my faith to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
A comment from one closer to the action or should that be in-action?
“A “war criminal”……..or a so called one due to the widespread PC attitude now run amok in the U.S. Military after 8 years of the uberleft OHbummurr MISadministration? One just might wonder????????????
Given Spencers’ brags re the FORD, he….IMhO…….as a former U.S. MARINE deserves to get the boot out the door.
So far our tax dollar$ have purchased a floating POS that still is apparently not close to functioning, and 2 more are on the way. Oh how nice……….. 😡 DFO”
Further to the comment above:
“and now………the second HUGE dock queen??? DFO”
Which indicates John F. Kennedy will be ‘christened’ on 7th December?
People are getting paid. Politicians are getting their kick backs.
Not surprised that the new worked only on paper. Hopefully the next administration isnt so prone to corruption and greed.
Looking at the evolution of weapons systems evolution over the past few decades, the problems with such as these latest aircraft carriers are simply the next step in a continuing, long decline.
Contractors operate in an atmosphere of effective impunity against failure to deliver. It’s especially astounding to note that the largest are able to routinely sue the only customer for particular of their products, and that customer continues to come back with tender requests.
It’s another style of “too big to fail.”
Re the particular crime in question, if “PC” means abiding by treaties we signed, and if “PC” means we don’t communicate to our adversaries that we’re OK with abuse of our soldiers and civilians, then “PC” translates into “law-abiding” and “common sense.” If we don’t want to respect the law, we should change it or declare ourselves lawless, and if we want to join barbarians in the treatment of defeated foes, we should declare that.
In general, “PC” usually translates into “polite,” “respectful, “civilized.” But by using the epithet “PC,” we get to be childish and even stupid and still feel good about it.
“A “war criminal”……..or a so called one due to the widespread PC attitude now run amok in the U.S. Military after 8 years of the uberleft OHbummurr MISadministration? One just might wonder????????????
No, really one might not.
No mention that this guy Spencer wanted to make a back door deal, his skirts are not clean. Makes you wonder about back door deals on the floating airplane barge. I for one do not trust him
Gallagher is a war criminal. The Ford is a sign of the systemic problems with procuring and contracts between the Pentagon and contractors which has been going on for decades. That also goes for planning of those purchases by the pentagon, the types of systems a weapons needed.
Gallagher was originally charged with a 22-count violation of the UCMJ. 21 of the 22 counts were either dismissed or the jury found Gallagher not guilty as charged.
Gallagher was found guilty of one count of posing with the body of an unidentified male who might or might not have been a member of ISIS. Posing alongside of Gallagher in the photo were 11-Navy Seals to include two commissioned officers and the same SEALS who had sworn under oath that Gallagher had purportedly murdered three people. To date no other SEAL has been prosecuted for posing with said body.
Gallagher was not found guilty of a war crime. He is not a war criminal. The misconduct of the Navy in the Gallagher case reveals a corrupt and incompetent organization that cannot be trusted with the nation’s defense.
Richard W Comerford
So you defend the war criminal, who intimidated witnesses not to speak against him, and defame the entire US Navy as an institution that cannot be trusted with the nation’s defense. Gallagher’s crimes are clear regardless of the outcome of the trial. But you attack the military. I guess that says it all.
Navy SEAL charged with war crimes accused of threatening to kill teammates if they talked, court documents show