Has The President Gone Too Far In Clearing Three Service Members?

WAMU 88.5

Published November 20, 2019 at 8:06 AM MST

Navy Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher celebrates with his wife Andrea after being acquitted of premeditated murder. President Trump reversed his demotion last week. This summer, Gallagher was found not guilty in the killing of a wounded Islamic State captive in Iraq in 2017. He was cleared of all charges but one of posing for photos with the dead body of the captive.

Last week, President Donald Trump cleared three service members. Each of them was accused or convicted of war crimes.

The president issued pardons for two, Maj. Mathew L. Golsteyn and Clint Lorance. After a trial this summer, Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher was demoted, and the president reversed that action.

“The White House said in a statement Friday night that Trump, as commander in chief, is “ultimately responsible for ensuring that the law is enforced and when appropriate, that mercy is granted,’” according to The Washington Post.

What is the president trying to convey by getting involved in these high-profile cases? How did these cases catch his attention? And how is justice meted out for service members?

Produced by Michelle Harven.

GUESTS

Dan Lamothe, Reporter, Washington Post; @DanLamothe

Professor Rachel VanLandingham, Professor of criminal and national security law; Southwestern Law School; retired Air Force Lt. Colonel; former judge advocate;

@rachelv12

Lieutenant Colonel David Gurfein, Retired marine, and CEO of United American Patriots

For more, visit https://the1a.org.