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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump ignores Pentagon advice and intervenes in military war crimes cases
Last edited Sat Nov 16, 2019, 10:07 AM - Edit history (1)
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump ignored Pentagon advice Friday and pardoned two service members, while also restoring the rank of a third after all faced war crimes allegations.
Trump granted full pardons to Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and restored the rank of Navy SEAL Eddie R. Gallagher, who had been demoted.
Lorance was released from the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, just before 10:30 p.m. local time Friday. He was wearing his Army uniform, according to CNN Producer Dan Shepherd who witnessed the reunion. His aunt, uncle, cousin and three nieces were waiting for him at a hotel following his release.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other senior military leaders had told the President that a presidential pardon could potentially damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military leaders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of US allies and partners who host US troops.
Trump granted full pardons to Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance and Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and restored the rank of Navy SEAL Eddie R. Gallagher, who had been demoted.
Lorance was released from the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, just before 10:30 p.m. local time Friday. He was wearing his Army uniform, according to CNN Producer Dan Shepherd who witnessed the reunion. His aunt, uncle, cousin and three nieces were waiting for him at a hotel following his release.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other senior military leaders had told the President that a presidential pardon could potentially damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military leaders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of US allies and partners who host US troops.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/15/politics/trump-war-crimes-intervenes/index.html
Trump Betrays the Military
President Donald Trump on Friday cleared three military service members of war crimes, even after being reportedly advised against doing so by Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. Mr. Trump interceded on behalf of Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who had been charged with murdering an Afghan man; Edward Gallagher, a Navy SEAL who was convicted in connection with posing for a photo with the corpse of a fighter in Iraq; and Army First Lt. Clint Lorance, who, after nine fellow unit members testified against him, had been convicted of murdering two civilians in Afghanistan.
Mr. Trump may believe that intervening pays respect to those who have served in uniform, that it shows hes pro-military. But if this is his view, hes wrong. In reality, Mr. Trumps meddling undermines the militarys institutional values, risks endangering American service members, and disrespects the honorable service of the overwhelming majority of veterans.
The military strives to ensure that its members adhere to the laws of war and respect human rights. Service members are trained, for example, to avoid civilian casualties by understanding rules of engagement and following the proper steps for escalation of force. They also learn the appropriate ways to treat detainees, and interrogators are trained to employ only the approved, legal methods.
During my two deployments to Afghanistan, my intelligence work helped lead to the capture of insurgent leaders. Sharing responsibility for their capture and as a recipient of the intelligence produced by their interrogations, I had a sense of moral reassurance in the understanding that my colleagues handled and interrogated the detainees humanely just as they had been trained.
Mr. Trump may believe that intervening pays respect to those who have served in uniform, that it shows hes pro-military. But if this is his view, hes wrong. In reality, Mr. Trumps meddling undermines the militarys institutional values, risks endangering American service members, and disrespects the honorable service of the overwhelming majority of veterans.
The military strives to ensure that its members adhere to the laws of war and respect human rights. Service members are trained, for example, to avoid civilian casualties by understanding rules of engagement and following the proper steps for escalation of force. They also learn the appropriate ways to treat detainees, and interrogators are trained to employ only the approved, legal methods.
During my two deployments to Afghanistan, my intelligence work helped lead to the capture of insurgent leaders. Sharing responsibility for their capture and as a recipient of the intelligence produced by their interrogations, I had a sense of moral reassurance in the understanding that my colleagues handled and interrogated the detainees humanely just as they had been trained.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/opinion/trump-war-crimes-pardons-gallagher.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
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Trump ignores Pentagon advice and intervenes in military war crimes cases (Original Post)
spanone
Nov 2019
OP
pwb
(11,252 posts)1. If they did it they have to live with being murderers.
Trump cant fix that.
5X
(3,972 posts)2. Only reason he did this was as the newest distraction. n/t
atreides1
(16,067 posts)3. Just like with Arpaio...
Accepting the pardon...is an admission of guilt!
riversedge
(70,093 posts)4. Yes, to me also--and I hope to all (but I dream).
in2herbs
(2,944 posts)5. Gee, if only there was something our military could do about the tyrant in the WH. Until
they have the courage to stand up to Trump their institutional values will be ignored.
sweetloukillbot
(10,974 posts)8. Are you calling for a coup?
Cause thats a GREAT idea....
kentuck
(111,054 posts)6. He was sending a message to someone...
"Don't forget, I have the power to pardon."
backtoblue
(11,343 posts)10. Could be
Flynn rescinded some of his testimony (August?) claiming he was tricked into his plea deal or some crap like that.
Giuliani? Sondland? There are an incredible list of people ot could be.
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)7. Wish they would advise him not to resign.
Reverse psychology works well on three year olds.