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Edward Gallagher, Navy SEAL Backed by Trump, to Face Review Board, Alleges Retaliation

Edward Gallagher files grievance claiming payback from brass, as president tweets threat to not take away his Trident pin.

Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher has been summoned to appear before a special disciplinary court on Dec. 2 to determine whether he’ll be allowed to remain in the elite force. Gallagher, who was accused of war crimes, including stabbing a 17-year-old ISIS prisoner to death, has been championed by President Donald Trump, even after a court found him guilty of posing for a trophy photo with the prisoner’s corpse. The U.S. Navy strongly opposed Trump’s move, which effectively reversed a demotion Gallagher received from his unit. The Navy plans to strip Gallagher of his Trident pin—symbolizing his membership of the SEALs—but the action could put the Navy’s most senior officials on a direct collision course with Trump. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports an attorney for Gallagher has filed a complaint with the Navy’s inspector general seeking an investigation of alleged retaliation against him.

During a tweetstorm early Thursday, Trump once more defended Gallagher, writing: “The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!”