US Navy defies Trump, proceeds in effort to expel SEAL commando

US Navy will proceed in its effort to oust a member of its elite SEAL commando unit, an official said Saturday, defying wishes of President Donald Trump. Edward Gallagher had been accused of war crimes in a high-profile case but was found guilty only of a lesser offense. On vember 15, Trump reversed demotion handed down to 40-year-old under his conviction.

Trump tweets in favour of Gallagher

Navy this week launched a procedure under which a peer review board could strip him and three or members of his unit of ir Trident pins -- effectively booting m from SEALs. A rankled Trump declared on Twitter on Thursday that " Navy will T be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher's Trident Pin."  On Saturday, however, a senior Pentagon official who requested anymity in order to speak freely said "peer review board is proceeding".

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'Did t threaten to resign'

Wher Gallagher can remain in unit or t will be determined by a panel of Navy SEAL officers that is set to convene in December. move came as multiple US news outlets reported that Navy Secretary Richard Spencer had threatened to resign over affair, a claim he sharply denied. "Contrary to popular belief, I am still here. I did t threaten to resign," Spencer said, speaking at a forum in Halifax, Canada.

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'Tweet t a formal order'

US Navy chief said he did t consider Trump's tweet to be a formal order. "I need a formal order to act," Spencer told reporters on sidelines of forum. According to US Constitution, president is commander-in-chief of country's armed forces. Gallagher, a 15-year Navy SEAL, had been accused in stabbing death of a wounded Islamic State prisoner in Iraq in 2017, attempted murder of or civilians and obstruction of justice.

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Convicted of a lesser charge

In July, he was acquitted of charges related to those accusations, but was convicted of a lesser charge -- posing with slain fighter's body in a group picture with or SEALs. As a result, he was demoted one rank, from chief petty officer to petty officer first class. Gallagher's case had been championed by Fox News, which president follows closely.

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