Trump pardons ex-soldier convicted of killing Iraqi prisoner
Source: The Hill
President Trump on Monday signed an executive grant of clemency, a full pardon, to a former Army first lieutenant convicted of murdering an Iraqi prisoner.
The White House released a statement announcing Trump's decision to pardon Michael Behenna, who was sentenced in 2009 to 15 years for shooting and killing Ali Mansur Mohamed. The move comes after repeated requests from Oklahoma's attorney general for Trump to pardon Behenna.
"Mr. Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public," the White House said, noting that more than two dozen generals and admirals as well as numerous Oklahoma officials have expressed support for Behenna, who hails from the state. The statement added that Behenna has been "a model prisoner."
"In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency," the statement read.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/442401-trump-pardons-ex-soldier-convicted-of-killing-iraqi-prisoner
asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)https://heavy.com/news/2019/05/michael-behenna/
dalton99a
(81,068 posts)cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,215 posts)cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)McKim
(2,412 posts)Many Iraq veterans are working in our Border Patrol!!!! This pardon is emblematic of the cruelty and lack of respect for human rights of the Trump Administration.
McKim
(2,412 posts)Yes, our border Patrol is a favorite second career for Iraq War Veterans. Lack of respect for Human Rights and cruelty are a hallmark of the Trump Administration!
rainin
(3,010 posts)djacq
(1,633 posts)SunSeeker
(51,372 posts)Which of course is great recruitment material for terrorists and endangers our soldiers serving overseas, and all Americans. And for what? What public interest does this pardon serve?
BlueStater
(7,596 posts)So they're fine with racist comments, but profanity is a line too far?
C Moon
(12,188 posts)Eugene
(61,595 posts)Once again, people who Trump likes get every benefit of the doubt.
Next up, the border "militia." While Larry Hopkins looks radioactive to a rational person, some kind of clemency from Trump is coming. Count on it.
keithbvadu2
(36,369 posts)A precedent. It rationalizes the same done to our own soldiers.
A pardon means guilty.
sinkingfeeling
(51,278 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(56,897 posts)Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Michael Behenna
LAW & JUSTICE
Issued on: May 6, 2019
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for former Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna of Oklahoma.
In 2009, a military court sentenced Mr. Behenna to 25 years in prison for unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. After judgment, however, the U.S. Armys highest appellate court noted concern about how the trial court had handled Mr. Behennas claim of self-defense. Additionally, the Army Clemency and Parole Board reduced his sentence to 15 years and paroled him as soon as he was eligible in 2014just 5 years into his sentence. Upon his release, dozens of Patriot Guard motorcycle riders met Mr. Behenna to escort him back to his home in Oklahoma.
Mr. Behennas case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public. Thirty-seven generals and admirals, along with a former Inspector General of the Department of Defense, signed a brief in support of Mr. Behennas self-defense claim. Numerous members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Oklahomas then-Governor Mary Fallin, and current Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter have also expressed support for Mr. Behenna. Further, while serving his sentence, Mr. Behenna was a model prisoner. In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency.
louis-t
(23,199 posts)proclaims the guy innocent of all charges. He felt it in his 300 lb. gut.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Their lack of outrage says it all
riversedge
(69,725 posts)Uproar Over Trumps Pardon Of A US Soldier Convicted Of Killing Iraqi Man
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/uproar-trump-pardon-us-soldier
By Kate Riga May 7, 2019 12:20 pm
President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned former Army Lt. Michael Behenna, who was convicted of killing an Iraqi man. Some military and legal voices on Twitter are in an uproar.
Behenna was convicted in 2009 for killing an Iraqi prisoner after allegedly stripping him naked and torturing him. Behenna maintains that he acted out of self defense.
He was initially sentenced to 25 years in jail, but was released on parole in 2014.
From an Army officer:
From a Harvard Law professor:
Link to tweet
From the director of the ACLU:
From a former GTMO prosecutor and national security specialist:
From a DOD reporter and Marine veteran:
..................Trump is no stranger to controversial pardons. Among those hes issued so far is one for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who refused to obey a court order telling him to stop profiling Latinos and Dinesh DSouza, an ardent Trump fan who broke campaign finance laws. Incidentally, a group of Democrats just asked a federal appeals court Monday to overturn Trumps pardon of Arpaio.