A new report revealed on Friday that top Navy officials are calling for the reinstating of Capt. Brett Crozier, the former commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt who was ousted for warning about COVID-19.
According to POLITICO, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who must approve the decision to reinstate Crozier, “was briefed on the recommendations early Friday, but the Pentagon is still reviewing the decision, the official said.”
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wants “a different approach,” the official added.
Earlier this month, former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly fired Crozier after the captain emailed several Navy leaders asking for help for his roughly 5,000 sailors.
According to Modly, Donald Trump himself would approve the decision to relieve Crozier.
According to POLITICO:
“Crozier’s reinstatement will likely be viewed favorably by Navy veterans and lawmakers, many of whom criticized Modly’s decision to relieve the captain in the middle of a crisis for what was moved as a minor infraction.”
The ship’s crew has also been eager to see Crozier reinstated. Videos posted of his last moments on the ship showed sailors cheering, chanting his name and swarming to say goodbye.
“The Navy made the right decision in recommending Brett Crozier be reinstated as Captain of the U.S.S. Roosevelt. Captain Crozier is a man of incredible integrity and is respected by the sailors aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt,” Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said in a statement. “I strongly encourage Secretary of Defense Esper to take the Navy’s advice and reinstate Captain Crozier so he can lead the men and women aboard the US.S. Roosevelt through these turbulent times.“
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